Rangers have been linked with a move for Spanish playmaker Jota.
Eibar sporting director Fran Garagarza has been quoted by The Scottish Sun as saying it’s Brentford’s decision if they want to let playmaker Jota join Rangers in January.
Jota, 25, joined Brentford from Celta Vigo in the summer of 2014, having scored 11 goals in 37 games on loan at Eibar, and he became an instant fan favourite at Griffin Park.
Jota of Brentford reacts during game
The Spaniard scored 11 times in 46 games for Brentford during the 2014-15 season, whilst also notching three assists as he attracted major interest, with the Daily Mail reporting that Bournemouth, Leicester City and Swansea City all wanted to sign Jota in the summer of 2015.
However, after missing almost four months with an ankle ligament injury sustained at the start of the 2015-16 season, Jota headed back to Spain with former club Eibar, penning an 18-month loan deal.
Brentford’s Jota celebrates after he scores their second goal
The playmaker, compared to David Silva by some, has only started 11 games for Eibar since re-signing for them, and he has yet to notch a goal or an assist for the La Liga side, meaning he could be heading back to Brentford – potentially to set up a move to Rangers.
The Gers are managed by Jota’s former Brentford boss Mark Warburton, and The Scottish Sun recently reported that Rangers are hoping to land Jota in January as Warburton looks for a replacement for the injured Niko Kranjcar.
Now, The Scottish Sun carry quotes from Eibar sporting director Fran Garagarza, who commented on the Rangers rumours by stating that it’s completely up to Brentford, as he’s the only player at Eibar that they can’t control.
Garagarza admitted that Eibar are helpless if Brentford want to recall Jota and then sell him to Rangers, but wished the playmaker luck with whatever he decides to do during the January transfer window.
“If Brentford wants to recover their player and then negotiate a subsequent transfer to Rangers, then it’s up to them,” said Garagarza. “If the players agrees to this, it’s Brentford’s decision. There’s nothing we can do. He is the only player at our club we do not own the rights to, so this can happen. We wish him luck,” he added.
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