Jota to Celtic transfer silence broken by Saudi sports minister as return 'dream' moves up chain of command

Minister of Sport for Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud has declared that Jota will NOT be leaving Al-Ittihad this summer amid speculation over a return to Celtic.

The 24-year-old endured a torrid first season in the Saudi Pro League following his £25million departure from the club last summer - having not been registered on the list of foreign players allowed in the Ittihad league squad for the first six months of the campaign. That limited the forward to cameos in cup competitions and occasional Asian Champions League appearances - before being drafted back into the first-team picture January by new boss Marcelo Gallardo.

However, a series of injury woes would see the winger make just 25 appearances in all competitions last term - with speculation ramping up in Saudi that a move back to Celtic could be on the cards. A switch to the English Premier League has also been touted - but reports had suggested that the forward would "love" a move back to the Hoops and it was a "dream" going into the summer.

But the Minister of Sport appears to have slammed the door on a potential departure. Discussing the disappointing first season for Jota to Eight Podcast, Abdulaziz bin Turki wrote off the season and put the blame on axed boss Nuno Espírito Santo said: "Former coach Nuno Santo was the one who requested Jota after a letter reached the recruitment committee. But when you contract a player you want from your budget and he does not play, this gives us the impression that there is an administrative error that can be fixed."

Pressed on a potential move from the club for Jota amid talk of a return to the Scottish Premiership champions, he stated Ittihad have already made their position clear to the government - who back