Celtic should have money to spend this summer.
The Scottish Premiership champions kept their powder dry in the January transfer window, after all, and have money in the bank following the sales of Jota, Liel Abada, Carl Starfelt and co.
But exactly how much money remains to be seen. Enough for Celtic to seriously consider making history, and pursue a deal that would smash through the £9 million barrier and exceed the club-record fee they paid to sign Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2018?
Celtic in race for Portugal international Jota Silva
HITC understands that Celtic are one of a huge number of clubs pursuing Vitoria Guimaraes winger Jota Silva. Now, if Vitoria were holding out for £17 million – corresponding to the release clause in Jota Silva’s contract – then Celtic could probably be ruled out of the conversation.
Fortunately, Jornal de Noticias reports that Vitoria will instead look for around £10 million. A fee which, while more than The Hoops have ever spent before, should keep Celtic’s name in the frame for the time being, even if interest from Wolves, Brighton, Monaco and co highlights the size of the task facing Brendan Rodgers’ side.
O Jogo reported back in February that Silva is prioritising clubs in England and Spain. He has already turned down offers from Russia and Saudi Arabia.
The prospect of European – maybe even Champions League – football at Celtic means the Glasgow giants should not be ruled at this stage, however. And, when coming to his decision, Jota Silva could do a lot worse than to check out the success of his compatriot and namesake Filipe Jota on Scottish soil.
Can Jota replace Jota at Parkhead?
Jota, the dearly-departed, twinkle-toed winger was a revelation under Ange Postecoglou, a two-time Scottish Premiership champion. Whether Jota Silva could make the same impact, of course, we can only guess.
But after taking his tally to 15 goals for the season – the first homegrown player to reach such a milestone for Vitoria Guimaraes in over four decades – and forcing his way into the Portugal squad ahead of Euro 2024.
“(That Portugal call-up) motivated Jota. It was a reward for his journey, for his evolution. But also for the squad,” Vitoria coach Alvaro Pacheco says of his record-breaking talisman.
“We look at this squad and we see players with a lot of potential, with many young players to be able to reach the national team. It’s a sign that he is possible.”
HITC understands Celtic are, understandably, prioritising a new goalkeeper. Joe Hart is retiring, and Liverpool’s Coaimhin Kelleher is their first-choice replacement. There is also interest in Trabzonspor captain Ugurcan Cakir.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
