Celtic are looking ahead to a summer of change, with well-loved coach Ange Postecoglou departing for a new challenge south of the English border with Tottenham Hotspur.
Brendan Rodgers has returned to his old job to help guide Celtic to further glory, as they prepare for another season in the Champions League.
Rodgers already seems to have his sights set on transfer targets to bolster a side which won the domestic treble for a second successive season in 2022-23.
However, fresh reports late this week suggest that Celtic and Rodgers may be dealt a blow, with one of their star men signing an agreement to move to the Saudi Pro League - and another of their most valuable stars linked with a move to the ever-growing league.
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Celtic star Jota set to agree terms for Saudi Pro League move
Celtic's dominance of Scottish football has moved to new levels in recent years, with the club winning the domestic treble on five occasions in the past seven seasons.
After Rangers' return to title-winning form during the 2020-21 season, Celtic were quick to wrestle back control of the domestic game in a post-COVID world, and have had the young members of their squad to thank for much of that success.
One of the stars of this period has been Portuguese winger Jota.
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Celtic star Jota in Champions League action against Shakhtar Donestk (Photo: Shutterstock)
The 24-year-old arrived from Benfica in the summer of 2021 on loan, before making the deal permanent last summer, and has contributed 28 goals across his two seasons with the club, putting him among the highest scorers of that period.
It seems, however, that Celtic will have to plan without Jota for the 2023-24 season, with the Portuguese star reportedly set to join the swathes of players moving to the Saudi Pro League.
In the Guardian, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Jota is close to sealing an agreement to join Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. Romano suggests that Jota is keen on the move, and that an agreement between all parties is just around the corner.
The news of Jota's potential departure follows previous reports that his Celtic teammate Reo Hatate would be set to join Al-Ittihad.
Earlier this week, Hatate's agent shut down the reports linking him with the Saudi Pro League, saying:
Reo is still in Europe. There is no chance of a move to the Saudi League.
Romano's report in the Guardian also confirms that departing Liverpool fan favourite Roberto Firmino has agreed terms on his move to the Saudi Pro League, where he will sign for Al-Ahli.
Firmino will join Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Marcelo Brozovic, in an ever-strengthening Saudi Pro League.
Though Jota may not quite reach the calibre of superstar of some of those names, his departure would be hugely significant for Celtic, and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to convince the 24-year-old to stay in Glasgow.
Featured image: Shutterstock
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