Ex Celtic ace Jota’s Al-Ittihad transfer exit ‘on hold’
Ex-Celtic star Jota’s move to Turkey is reportedly off.
It emerged on Saturday that Fenerbahce had shown an interest in taking the winger on loan.
It comes as his future at Al-Ittihad already seems to be uncertain just two months after moving to the Middle East.
The 24-year-old moved from Celtic to the Saudi Pro League for a fee worth £25m in June.
His stint started well, but it soon turned into somewhat of a nightmare for the Portuguese attacker.
Jota has seemingly been frozen out of the picture by Nuno Espirito Santo after only a handful of appearances.
Al-Ittihad can only register eight foreign players in their first-team squad as per the Pro League’s rules.
And so, Jota is likely to be left out of the squad, meaning he could not feature in any domestic games until Christmas.
A loan to Fenerbahce would have suited to allow him to go get game time, while Al-Ittihad would have him off their books for a spell.
However, multiple reports in the Middle East now say that the Turkish giants have withdrawn their interest in the player – and it could be after New Year that Jota plays in another competitive game.
It’s claimed that the reason for Fener pulling their interest is down to the fact that Jota could not be registered in time to play in their Europa Conference League fixtures.
Also, head coach Ismail Kartail would prefer to keep former Bournemouth and Everton frontman Josh King than sign a new player.
The Turkish transfer deadline is not until September 15.
Meanwhile, Kelvin Wilson has urged Brendan Rodgers to bring Gary Hooper back to Celtic.
The former Hoops striker, 35, is currently a free agent and is on the hunt for a new club after recently playing his football in the UAE, Cyprus, New Zealand and India.
Hooper is now hoping to return to British football and Wilson believes his former club Celtic could do with the striker’s experience in their squad.
Wilson told The Sun: “I know you look at Celtic, and the players they can bring in, but I wouldn’t be surprised with Gary.”
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Gary Hooper to Celtic labelled ‘no-brainer’ as former Hoops star urges Brendan Rodgers to do deal
The former Hoops favourite was in action in the Scottish Master Cup on Saturday at the Braehead Arena with the 35-year-old, who turns 36 in January, currently without a club.
Brendan Rodgers signing Gary Hooper is a ‘no-brainer’ as a former Parkhead star urged his old club to make a deal happen.
The former Hoops favourite was in action in the Scottish Master Cup on Saturday at the Braehead Arena with the 35-year-old, who turns 36 in January, currently without a club. He teamed-up alongside the likes of Dorus de Vries, Kris Commons and Joe Ledley in the four-way tournament that also contained Rangers, Hearts and Hibs.
But it was former Celtic colleague and Masters team-mate Kelvin Wilson who tipped his old pal to make a sensational return to the Scottish champions – insisting he would still score many goals and provide that back-up role required at the club. Speaking about Hooper to the Scottish Sun, the centre-back explained: “I know you look at Celtic, and the players they can bring in, but I wouldn’t be surprised by Gary.
“Hoops could be a back-up player there and still score many goals for them.
“I don’t understand why anyone would question it.
“Gary knows Celtic inside out and the fans absolutely love him.
“It’s a no-brainer for me. He wouldn’t cost them anything, so yes!
“For sure he’d take that opportunity, he’d snatch your hand off for it.”
