Al-Ittihad have opened talks with summer signing Jota over terminating his contract, according to a report.
The Portuguese was one of the big arrivals of the Saudi Pro League’s summer spending spree. Though his move didn’t quite cause the same stir as that of Neymar or his Al-Ittihad teammate Fabinho, the former Celtic man still commanded one of the biggest transfer fees in Pro League history when the Jeddah giants shelled out €29.1 million.
Yet his very short time in Saudi Arabia appears to already be coming to an end. Pretty much ever since he arrived, there have been rumours that the 24-year-old has not been favoured by head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and that he could leave.
Now, it seems this strange scenario is becoming reality.
At least that is what journalist Ekrem Konur claims. He reports that “Al Ittihad have started negotiations to terminate Jota’s contract.” This is an interesting prospect because it would make Jota a free agent and available to be snapped up by a European club.
In fact, Konur asserts that “there are clubs from La Liga, Premier League and Italian Serie A interested in signing the Portuguese winger.” Yet it must be said that it is a crazy decision to terminate a player’s deal just weeks after he arrive.
And it is not like Jota has been completely frozen out of the team either. The 24-year-old attacker has made five appearances in this nascent Saudi Pro League season, scoring one goal. All of his outings have, however, come as a substitute.
Reigning champions Al-Ittihad currently sit third in the table, below league leaders Al-Hilal and surprise package Al-Taawoun, who were not one of the big four clubs that came under Public Investment Fund ownership in the summer. Al-Taawoun spent €14.8m on signings, whereas Al-Ittihad had splashed €107.7m.
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