Birmingham City signed Jota ahead of Derby County last summer.
According to a report in the Sun, Derby County were keen on signing Spanish winger Jota last summer.
The talented wide man had impressed for fellow Championship side Brentford and, due to his contract expiring the following summer, he was available for a very reasonable price reported to be in the region of £6 million.
The Rams were desperate to bring in another wide player due to the departure of last season’s top scorer Tom Ince, and boss Gary Rowett seemingly identified both Jota and Tom Lawrence as ideal replacements.
Birmingham, under then-manager Harry Redknapp, however, were also big admirers of Jota and it was the West Midlands side who ultimately won the race for his signature.
At the time, Derby fans were disappointed at missing out on one of the Championship’s most recognised players but, with two thirds of the season gone, Jota now looks like a bullet dodged.
The 26-year-old has been in poor form for the Blues this season, scoring just two goals in 19 league appearances for the club and failing to provide any assists for his current teammates.
Jota managed 12 goals and five assists in only 21 games for the Bees last time out, but this term he looks a shadow of his former self and Birmingham must be wondering how his form has declined so much.
Over the weekend, the former Celta Vigo man was brought on at half time against Millwall and, instead of inspiring the hosts, his introduction coincided with a sloppy second period which saw Birmingham slump to a 1-0 defeat.
Jota managed just 15 touches against the Lions in 45 minutes, and his only meaningful contribution was to take two shots which both ended up off target.
While Tom Lawrence has had an inconsistent season for the Rams, the winger has at least contributed towards Derby’s play-off push, and fans must be grateful it was him and not Jota who ended up at Pride Park last summer.
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