The skies over Parkhead have been clouded with uncertainty of late as rumours circulate about the future of Celtic star, Jota. The Saudi Pro League champions have reportedly opened talks with Celtic over a potential £25m deal to sign Jota, a move that could prove too good for both the player and the club to refuse.

For those of us who have been following the Hoops over the past two seasons, Jota’s potential departure could leave a huge void. The 24-year-old Portuguese attacker, who initially joined Celtic on loan from Benfica in 2021 before making his switch permanent for around £6.5m, has established himself as a key figure in Celtic’s squad. With an impressive tally of 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 appearances across all competitions, Jota has been instrumental in our recent success, including a Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup domestic treble in the 2022-23 campaign.

But it’s not just about the numbers. Jota’s flair, creativity, and fighting spirit have been infectious. His performances on the pitch have made us believe in the impossible, turning potential defeats into memorable victories.

However, the deal being offered to Jota is rumoured to be a staggering £10m per year, tax-free. Such an offer is indeed hard to refuse, even for the most dedicated of players. The player himself seems keen to move to the Middle East and discuss the final details of his contract as per Fabrizio Romano. Al-Ittihad, managed by Jota’s Portuguese compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo, are showing their ambitions loud and clear, having already secured the signings of world-class talents like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante from Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.

As heartbreaking as it may be for us, the Celtic faithful, to see our star player potentially leaving, we must remember that football is a business. And in this case, it’s a business that could see Celtic pocket a significant sum. With Benfica due 30% of any future transfer fee for Jota, Celtic could be looking at a potential windfall of around £17.5m, a significant profit on their initial investment.

As fans, we can only trust that the club will reinvest these funds wisely to ensure the continued success. While Jota’s potential departure may be a bitter pill to swallow, the transfer could provide the means to strengthen our squad and continue to compete at the highest level.

In the end, we must remember that no player is bigger than the club. Celtic was here before Jota and will be here long after. We will continue to sing, continue to cheer, and continue to believe. As the old saying goes, “Once a Celt, always a Celt.” If the move does go through, we will remember Jota fondly for his contributions and wish him well in his future endeavours. But make no mistake, the Hoops will march on. Here’s to the future, whatever it may bring.