Celtic deal for return of winger Jota nearing completion

Celtic are near to completing the deal to sign Jota from Rennes and take the Portuguese winger back to Parkhead for a second spell.

The Scottish champions are expected to announce the signing by the weekend, once the final details and paperwork have been completed.

Jota is now set to become the club’s first signing of the January window and will be a popular addition to the squad after a trophy-laden time in Glasgow previously.

The winger moved to Celtic from Benfica in 2021, initially on loan and was a huge success for the club. He won two league titles, two League Cups and a Scottish Cup before being sold to Saudi side Al Ittihad for a club record fee.

Jota did not have a happy time in the Pro League, unable to become a regular first team player, and moved to Rennes last August on a three-year contract. However, he is not part of new manager Jorge Sampaoli’s plans and is now set to return to Celtic for a fraction of the fee they sold him for only 18 months ago.

While the 25-year-old prepares to play in Glasgow again, Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi is set to move in the opposite direction in a separate deal.

The Japanese forward is already in France to complete a move to Sampaoli’s side and announcement of that transfer is imminent.

Celtic will look to bring in a new striker before the end of the January window and are also on the verge of sealing a return for defender Kieran Tierney.