Expert suggests secret Celtic transfer talks already underway after Jota latest
Alan Hutton has insisted talks over a permanent deal for Jota will be taking place “in the background” at Celtic.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Ange Postecoglou will want a deal done swiftly for the 23-year-old to avoid it being a “distraction” heading into the summer.
As quoted by the Scotsman (24 April), Postecoglou stated Celtic are only thinking about this season and suggested “conversations” over a potential permanent deal would have to wait.
Speaking to the Sky Sports after Sunday’s win over Ross County, as quoted by The Scotsman, Jota himself also shot down talk of the future.
He insisted contract talks are for “another time” and he has not given any thought about where he will be next season.
However, Hutton insisted Celtic chiefs would be working on getting something lined up for the summer.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They will be talking about it in the background. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
“It just hasn’t probably got out there into the public domain yet. There’s no doubting his quality, we see it.
“He scores goals, he assists, he’s a real threat on his day. They’ll want to tie him down, Postecoglou will want that to happen.
“Then he can move on to other areas of the pitch where he feels he needs to strengthen and this isn’t a distraction. So I’m pretty sure, in the background, they will be talking about it.”
Jota joined Celtic on loan from Benfica last summer.
He has scored 11 goals and contributed 12 assists in 36 appearances this season.
In other news, Football Insider can reveal 26-year-old’s Celtic career all but over after club talks.