Sources: Southampton plot move for ‘phenomenal’ Celtic star Jota
Southampton are keeping tabs on Celtic sensation Filipe Jota, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League club have been impressed by the impact the Portugese attacker, 23, has made since joining the Glasgow giants in the summer of 2021.
Scouts from Southampton have been watching Jota and delivered glowing reports to the club’s recruitment team.
The Saints are set to continue to monitor the wide forward this season as they line up a target list of attacking players with the potential to thrive in the Premier League.
Jota joined Celtic from Benfica on a permanent deal for around £6.5million in the summer after they triggered the buy option in his initial loan deal.
His value has already climbed on the back of his performances in domestic and European competition for Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Jota has looked comfortable at Champions League level and that has not gone unnoticed among his admirers south of the border.
Operating on the left side of the attack, he scored in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig on what was an otherwise chastening European evening for the Hoops.
Jota has followed up his 13-goal and 14-assist debut campaign by scoring five times and supplying five assists from his 11 matches from all competitions this season.
“He’s a phenomenal player and I have no doubt that Premier League clubs will be looking closely at him,” former Rangers and Scotland manager Alex McLeish has told Football Insider.
Southampton signed Joe Aribo from Rangers in the summer and their recruitment model is based on signing young, talented players with the potential to improve and develop.
In other news, sources: Celtic open Postecglou talks after Premier League club approach.