Out of favour Jota has once again been sidelined by Stade Rennes boss Jorge Sampaoli amid rumours over a return to Celtic.
The winger faces a massive decision on his future having dropped down the pecking order at the club following the arrival of Sampaoli – who has publicly criticised the fitness levels of the 25-year-old amid questions over the Portuguese forward’s ability to fit into his football philosophy. Reports in France have claimed that the former Hoops’ hero is on a shortlist of players who could be moved on by the Ligue 1 club in this window – just six months after he ended his nightmare spell with Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
But it’s a case of deja vu for the Portuguese star as the French top flight emerges from cold storage following the winter break. He was once again left on the bench by the boss – as he still awaits his first start since the arrival of Sampaoli.
One return that looks to be on is Kieran Tierney‘s move from Arsenal. The left-back is approaching the end of his deal at the Emirates and is in negotiations over a pre-contract move back to Glasgow’s east end.
The Gunners are said to be open to be allowing the Scotland defender to leave the club this month – and the Daily Mail report that the final roadblock in a deal is if the left-back will cut his wages. It is claimed that Tierney faces a “£3m hit to rip up his current contract and return to Glasgow on a permanent basis this month.”
Elsewhere, Celtic could reignite their interest in £8m-rated Mateusz Bogusz after the collapses of his Los Angeles FC exit last summer after the MLS side snapped up another frontman. The 23-year-old was at the centre of transfer talks between the Scottish Premiership champions – but the Hoops failed to get a deal over the line in time for the Poland cap as they brought in Arne Engles and Luke McCowan instead on deadline day.
LAFC have now unveiled Jeremy Ebobisse as their latest signing. The Sporting Tribune report that the deal is seen as a way to replace Bogusz’s 16-goals from last term with “questions looming over his future.”
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