Celtic told the 'simple' Jota transfer rules by Ittihad but return comes with major Saudi caveat

Al-Ittihad are reportedly willing to allow Jota to leave on loan for a European suitor this summer - but only if a Saudi club is not willing to sign the winger.

The 24-year-old endured a torrid first season in the Middle East following his £25million departure from Celtic last summer - having not been registered on the list of foreign players allowed in the Ittihad league squad for the first six months of the campaign. That limited the forward to cameos in cup competitions and occasional Asian Champions League appearances - before being drafted back into the first-team picture January by new boss Marcelo Gallardo.

He now looks set to be ditched once again from the foreign player list for the new campaign by another new manager, Lauren Blanc, after Houssem Aouar joined the club from Roma. According to Hi Koura, Ittihad are "willing" to let the Portuguese star leave on loan this summer.

Reports have suggested that the forward is keen on a return to Celtic this summer, but the likes of West Ham and FC Porto are also said to have shown an interest. However, it is claimed that Ittihad would rather loan the player to a fellow Saudi side.

It is claimed that the former Saudi champions want to give Jota the "opportunity to participate continuously and evaluate him throughout the next season." It is noted that a loan move to Europe would be a "simple" solution if no Saudi Pro League sides show an interest.