Jota 'already' in Celtic contract talks as Benfica transfer picks up more pace

Celtic have reportedly already opened contract talks with Jota as a potential transfer from Benfica gathers more pace.

News from Portugal on Tuesday morning claimed the on-loan winger had informed the Primeira Liga giants he wanted to make his Parkhead move permanent.

Celtic are ready to pay the £6.5million option agreed last summer for a player who has lit up the Premiership under Ange Postecoglou.

Jota was guarded when asked about his future last week but A Bola report contract negotiations with the champions-elect are already under way.

Tying the 22-year-old down on a long-term deal would be a sizeable boost for Postecoglou as he prepares his squad for next season's tilt at the Champions League.

Record Sport revealed in January that Celtic were also keen to sign Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur.

The USA international has been the bedrock of the club's success this term with a string of excellent displays at centre-back.

He and club captain Callum McGregor have both been nominated for this season's Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year award.