Jota: Pundit issues ‘outrageous’ transfer claim after Sky update on Celtic talks
Alan Hutton has suggested Benfica may be demanding an “outrageous” sell-on clause as Celtic try to strike a permanent deal for Jota.
The former Scotland international, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he expects a deal to be done for the 23-year-old once certain “niggly issues are resolved”.
Sky Sports report (25 May) Celtic are close to turning Jota’s loan move permanent having agreed a £6million purchase clause last summer.
The broadcaster claims negotiations are still taking place, with Benfica wanting a significant sell-on percentage included as part of the deal.
Hutton insisted Celtic are right to “dig their heels in” after giving Jota the “platform to shine”.
However, he admitted he cannot see a deal falling through.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Obviously Celtic will want the best deal possible.
“They will obviously know exactly what Jota is capable of. We’ve seen it and they’ll see, maybe in two or three years, if he keeps progressing the way he is he’ll outgrow them.
“There will be an opportunity to move on for a big fee to a big club. Obviously Celtic can see that so it really depends how much we’re talking in terms of a sell-on fee. That’s probably obviously the sticking point.
“I mean, if it’s something just outrageous, then you can understand why Celtic will be digging their heels in. They’ve given him the platform to and shine. Why should the other team be making a lot of money out of it?
“This deal will happen. It’s just a case of these niggly issues getting put to bed. They will get resolved and I think he’ll be a Celtic player for the foreseeable future.”
In other news, Celtic expert claims senior star “finished” at Parkhead and will be sold this summer.