Jota 'demands' Ittihad release as Celtic transfer return pitched

Outcast Jota is reportedly "demanding" his Al-Ittihad release to allow him to return to Europe this summer.

The 24-year-old has endured a nightmare 12 months in the Middle East since leaving Celtic for the Saudi Pro League in a £25million move - having initially been cut from the list of foreign players allowed in the league squad and spending six months out of the picture at Ittihad. The winger is now watching history repeat itself this season with the club going on a big-money spending spree once again to bring in Houssem Aouar from Roma and winger Moussa Diaby arrive from Aston Villa.

Reports in Saudi also suggest former Liverpool star Sadio Mane is set to leave Al-Nassr to join Ittihad on loan - and push Jota further out of the picture. Al-Jazeera now claim that Ittihad chiefs have held crunch talks with the Portuguese star and his representatives in an attempt to find him a loan suitor in the Pro League.

It is said that Jota has "rejected" the two offers on the table to remain in Saudi and has "demanded" his release and that he "receive all his financial dues" - with the former Hoops man banking around £200k a week at the club. The forward is said to want to return to Europe and talks remain ongoing over a solution.

Wolves and Sporting Lisbon are said to be "displaying an interest" while reports in France state both Marseille and Stade Rennais are targeting a deal. However, pundit Michael Stewart reckons that Celtic should make a move to bring back the Scottish Treble winner.

Speaking on Premier Sports' Scottish Football Social Club, Stewart named two areas that Celtic must strengthen - before pitching a move for Jota: "I still feel like centre half and out wide are the areas you would want to strengthen that