Jota escalates Ittihad feud as Celtic hero makes defiant social media move amid contract termination talks

Raging Jota appears to have escalated his feud with Al-Ittihad after being bombed out of the Saudi champions squad for the Pro League campaign.

The Celtic fan favourite has faced a nightmare since leaving the Scottish Premiership behind for the Saudi Pro League having only left the Hoops in July in a bumper £25million move to the Middle East. Ittihad have filled their foreign player quota for the upcoming campaign with league rules stating that only eight overseas players are allowed per squad with boss Nuno Espirito Santo leaving the 24-year-old out of the side.

It means that the attacker is only eligible to play in AFC Champions League and the Club World Cup games unless he is drafted back in to the first-team picture in January. It is reported that the player's agent is in talks with the club over ripping up Jota's contract with Tottenham reportedly considering a move for the wide man.

And amid the fallout the Scottish Treble winner has deleted a line from his Instagram profile that stated he was an "Al-Ittihad player". Eagled-eyed punters reckon it's a hint that his spell in Saudi Arabia could be coming to an end.

However, he is still following the club on the social media platform. Images playing for the club also remain on his profile.

Ange Postecoglou is reportedly keen on bringing the forward to the English Premier League. He is attempting to find cover for Ivan Perisic who faces a spell on the sidelines.