Expert details why Jota deal 'different' for Celtic after source's update
Alan Hutton has insisted Celtic will not be in a rush to sign Jota.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Rangers defender believes the fact the 23-year-old has already been with the club means he could afford to miss pre-season.
A source told this site (28 June) that Celtic have agreed terms with Jota and the Portuguese international will put pen to paper on a multi-year deal with the Hoops.
The forward was on loan from Benfica last season with an option to buy.
A deal to keep him at Parkhead permanently is set to cost in the region of £6.5million.
When asked for his assessment of the latest, Hutton told Football Insider: "In an ideal situation you want your targets through the door before pre-season starts.
"You want them in early so they can get used to their surroundings.
"It’s more difficult for boys who have never been at the club before. The question mark that hangs above their head is were they trying to get out the club, were they doing preseason right, how fit are they when they come in, can they learn quickly?
"But the likes of Jota, it’s a little bit different for him because he knows the club. He’s been there, he’s settled in, he knows the staff, he knows the manager, so if he was to come in after a month or so it’s not so bad."
Jota made 40 appearances for the Hoops last season, scoring 13 goals and providing 14 assists.