Celtic transfer news as Jota sale ramps up at Benfica and Vinicius Souza competitor struggles

Finalising a deal to sell Jota to Celtic has become a "priority" for Benfica, according to a report.

The Parkhead club are expected to sign the Portuguese winger after taking up the option-to-buy in the loan move that brought him to Glasgow last summer.

Jota was a roaring success for Ange Postecoglou as his side marched to a Premiership and Premier Sports Cup double.

And fans have been eagerly anticipating his permanent arrival at Celtic Park in recent weeks.

Portuguese outlet Record now report Benfica are keen to wrap up the agreement in order to fund their own summer signing ambitions.

Meanwhile, Celtic were named among a host of clubs interested in Algeria international Ahmed Touba last week.

The RKC Waalwijk defender is reportedly a target for Marseille, Sevilla, Olympiakos, Angers, Benfica, Real Betis, AEK Athens and Bayer Leverkusen.

It's clear then that he will have no shortage of options in the coming weeks.

French outlet Foot Mercato now report that Marseille believe their best chance of signing Touba is by qualifying for the Champions League, which perhaps hints that the player is seeking top-level European football at his next club.

That is, of course, something Celtic can already offer with their place in the group stage secure.

Brazilian midfielder Vinicius Souza is another name on Postecoglou's summer shopping list.

The 22-year-old, part-owned by the City Football Group, is set to leave Lommel on another loan deal after a successful stint at KV Mechelen last season.

The Daily Mail named Fenerbahce and Bologna as Celtic's competitors for his signature last week but the former may not be a serious suitor for Vinicius, should reports from Turkey be accurate.

Aksam.com claim the finances involved in any