Jota 'rejects' Steven Gerrard as Celtic hero takes ultimate transfer gamble over mega-money West Ham hurdle

In-demand Jota has shot down an attempt from Steven Gerrard to end his Al-Ittihad nightmare - as he holds out hope that an English Premier League club will rescue him this month.

After leaving Celtic behind last summer in a bumper £25m transfer, he has endured a nightmare spell in the Saudi Pro League. After being left out of the foreign player list for the league by former boss Nuno Espirito Santo just weeks after leaving the Scottish Premiership for Middle East, the 24-year-old has been relegated to the fringes of the squad while making occasional appearances in friendly games and the Asian Champions League.

New boss Marcelo Gallardo appears happy to allow the Portuguese winger to leave this month - with a loan move appearing the most likely. Ettifaq and Ittihad are both owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund - which would have appeared to offer a smooth path out of the door for Jota. However, according to multiple reports in Saudi, the Benfica academy graduate knocked back an approach from ex-Rangers boss Gerrard to join former Celtic stars like Moussa Dembele and Jack Hendry in Dammam.

It comes with West Ham being heavily linked with a loan move for the wide man. Koora also name Wolves and Tottenham as parties who are interested in a deal.

But a potential stumbling block appears to be how the salary will be shared between the clubs. Al-Ittihad are reportedly pushing for clubs to take over Jota's full £200k-a-week wage - which is said to have seen interest cool. It could mean another six months in Saudi for the former Parkhead Treble winner.