Everton eye free transfer swoop for former Celtic star Jota amid Saudi ‘debacle’
Everton are “keeping watchful eyes” on the “debacle” surrounding Portuguese winger Jota in Saudi Arabia with a view to potentially signing him on a free, according to 90min.
The outlet reported on their website on 3 October that the Al Ittihad man is currently in talks with the Saudi Pro League side over a realease from his contract, just months after a £25million summer move from Celtic, after he wasn’t registered for their league squad.
The 24-year-old is “hoping” to get out now and move back to Europe, although his club may yet keep him until January and sell him during the transfer window.
A switch to Tottenham has been mooted due to the presence of former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou who Jota would reportedly “love” to rejoin, with the Australian having looked into signing him already, while the Scottish champions would also be interested in taking him back.
The Toffees are among a host of Premier League sides watching with interest as they eye the possibility to land an unexpected free agent, with the likes of West Ham, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham also holding an interest.
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It is probably fair to say that Everton won’t be at the front of the queue if Jota does become available in the near future, and likely won’t be in the running at all if it becomes a cash sale in January.
But with free transfers particularly inviting for Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell for obvious reasons due to the financial pressures at Goodison Park they should absolutely look into it.
Spurs are sure to be the most likely option, but having spent big to sign Brennan Johnson this summer it is possible that Jota decides he wouldn’t get the necessary playing time.
Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma may have come in on loan this season but that has only ended up accounting for the departures of Alex Iwobi and Demarai Gray, so the squad could always use more attacking options.
It has to be a long shot in this instance for Everton to wind up with the winger, firstly dependent on his talks in Al Ittihad, and then on movement from the rival interested parties.
But with the squad forever in need of strengthening at Goodison the chance to land a player for free who went for £25m a matter of months ago is a chance that doesn’t come along often, no matter how small it is, so the Toffees at least throwing their hat in the ring would make sense.
In other Everton news, a Premier League ace has broken his silence on his sudden departure from the Toffees, but still can’t speak about much of it.
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