Former Celtic star Jota has reportedly been handed a exit route at Rennes – with Turkish giants Besiktas reportedly preparing a loan bid for the out of favour winger.
The former Portugal youth international only joined the French club for €10 million (£8.3million) last summer after a challenging 12 months in the Middle East with Al-Ittihad, but has made just 10 appearances in all competitions, only three of which have came from the start. Jota has yet to make a start under new Rennes boss Jorge Sampaoli, who recently hinted that those on the fringes of his squad could be moved on in January.
Hoops fans have long dreamt of a return to Parkhead for the former Benfica man, but Celtic will now face stiff competition to land Jota if they decide to try and make a move. Turkish outlet Orta Çizgi claim that Besiktas are keen to try and bring the wide man to Istanbul on loan for the rest of the season.
However, Celtic diehards will hope the 25-year-old’s confessed love for the club will mean Parkhead would be his first port of call if he was to push for a Rennes exit. In an emotional address to supporters following his exit from Glasgow’s East End 18 months ago, he said: “You guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that we were crazy in love.
“For what it matters. I think I’ve loved you more than them so believe me, I love you for life. No words will ever express how grateful I am for this ride. I’m such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and as a person.”
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