Portuguese Forward Set to Join Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad

Celtic star Jota is reportedly set to team up with Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad this summer.

Jota, 24, has established himself as a vital first-team starter at Celtic since initially arriving on loan from Benfica in 2021. After shining in his first season, he sealed a £6.5 million move to the Hoops in 2022.

A right-footed inverted winger blessed with flair and dribbling, the former Portugal U21 star has been a sensation for Celtic. He has registered 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 games across all competitions for them, lifting a total of five trophies in the process.

According to Sky Sports, Jota is close to sealing a permanent move to Al-Ittihad in a deal worth up £25 million in the ongoing summer transfer window. But, Celtic are keen to retain their star’s services and will only consider selling him for a significant transfer fee this summer.

Should Celtic opt to offload Jota to the Jeddah-based club in the future, they would have to pay Benfica 30 per cent of the transfer fee. They roped the winger in from his boyhood club with a sell-on clause.

Earlier this month, Al-Ittihad snapped up Benzema on a free transfer after the star ended his 14-year-long stint at Real Madrid. They offered him a lucrative two-year contract with an option for another year.

After the 2022 FIFA Ballon d’Or winner’s signing, the Saudi Pro League champions also acquired Kante’s services on a Bosman switch. They reached an agreement of three years with the ex-Chelsea star.