Several teams are keeping an eye on Jota of Al Ittihad, including Everton.
The forward was left off of Al Ittihad’s roster for the season, and 90min reports that the Toffees may look into a transfer for him.
In only 62 league appearances after joining Celtic in 2021, Jota made a significant impression in Scotland, scoring 21 goals and dishing out 21 assists. However, Celtic supporters were shocked when the 24-year-old decided to quit them this summer in favour of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ittihad joined Al Ittihad in July for a club record sum of £25 million, joining Fabinho, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante.
Jota’s first goal came against Al-Wehda in August, but since then, things have gone south because he wasn’t authorised to participate in the current season.
The former Portugal youth international is currently in talks with the Saudi club about being released from his contract so he may travel back to Europe right away.
Several teams, including Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Celtic, have expressed interest in Jota as a potential free agent. Tottenham Hotspur, though, appears to have the best chance of winning.
The attacker was recruited by Ange Postecoglou for Celtic two years ago, and he could be ready to reunite with him and work with his previous boss.
Al Ittihad reportedly has the option to keep Jota until January in order to profit from his departure. However, they will probably have to take a loss on the £25 million they spent on him in the summer.
Jota would be a goal-oriented addition to Everton.
If Jota becomes available for a free transfer in the near future or if Al Ittihad decides to sell him in the new year, he may be a tremendous value.
Jota is said to be raking in around £200,000 per-week at Al-Ittihad and, while he will definitely have to accept a pay cut if he leaves, Everton don’t really have the cash to offer him a tempting deal.
If Tottenham are to remain in the race then it also seems very unlikely that the Toffees could move ahead of them, while a move to London with any of the other interested parties (bar Celtic) probably pushes Sean Dyche‘s side even further down the list.
Even though it would be a great shock if Everton were able to entice the attacker to Goodison Park, he would be a fantastic addition and surely boost their frontline.
