Jota set to FINALLY end Saudi nightmare as Celtic domino falls that can unlock transfer hijack attempt

Al-Ittihad misfit Jota is reportedly set to end his nightmare in Saudi - and there could still be faint hope for Celtic to bring the winger back to Parkhead.

The 24-year-old has endured a nightmare 12 months in the Middle East since leaving the Scottish Premiership behind 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 in the stands. The winger has watched 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 from Aston Villa - with Sadio Mane also set to come in the door.

While reports in Saudi touted Celtic as potential destination - even claiming Jota was "dreaming" of a return to Glasgow's east end - reports in France suggest Rennes are set to win the race for a deal. However, there is said to still be one hurdle to clear.

RMC Sport report that negotiations between the two clubs "are going well" and that an agreement is "close" - but the deal is not yet sealed because of Jota's "substantial" salary. It is said to be up in the air if the wide man will "resign himself to a lower salary" this summer.

But is has already been touted that if the Portuguese star does take a drop in wages that could clear a path to Celtic Park. Speaking to Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, pundit Marvin Bartley speculated: "It's the wages that are going to be the problem. Whatever Jota was on at Celtic he is on significantly more now, and while he might not be linked with the biggest clubs in the world he could fall back into what Celtic pay unless he took a massive wage cut."