Tottenham monitoring Jota situation ahead of Al Ittihad exit

Tottenham Hotspur are among several clubs keeping tabs on the situation of Portuguese winger Jota, sources have confirmed to 90min.

The 24-year-old joined Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad from Celtic for £25m back in July. However, he has not been registered to play for the coming season.

Talks are ongoing between Al Ittihad and Jota to find a resolution, with the forward hoping that he can be released from his contract and pursue an immediate move back to Europe.

If Jota is able to leave for free, 90min understands that Tottenham would be interested in pursuing a deal. Ange Postecoglou, who signed Jota at the beginning of his reign at Celtic, is keen on bringing him to north London.

Al Ittihad could ultimately choose to hold onto Jota for now and then sell him in the January transfer window, however.

90min revealed towards the end of the summer window that Tottenham were weighing up an approach for Jota shortly after he was frozen out of the Al Ittihad squad, though instead chose to seal a £45m deal for Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson.

Johnson and Jota are both quick and tricky touchline wingers who suit Postecoglou’s preferred system more than some of Tottenham’s inside forwards.

Spurs are not the only side keen on Jota though, with former side Celtic open to bringing him back to Parkhead.

Premier League sides Brentford, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, and West Ham United are all keeping watchful eyes on the debacle too, but Jota would ultimately love to link up with Postecoglou again and so Tottenham have the edge in the race.

During his two seasons under Postecoglou at Celtic, Jota registered 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 matches.