“There’s a feeling that there’s a decent chance it’ll happen” – Portuguese journalist’s worrying Jota update

Jota to Celtic. It has the potential of turning into another Paddy Roberts hasn’t it!

Right that’s enough of that!

But what is the state of play regarding Celtic sealing the deal to get the Portuguese winger to Paradise permanently?

And will it happen anytime soon?

It’s in the balance according to Portuguese journalist Alex Goncalves:

Benfica obviously remain keen to keep hold of João 'Jota' Filipe, hence why Celtic still haven't managed to sign him permanently. All still up to Jota, but Benfica would like him to return to his boyhood club. There's a feeling that there's a decent chance it'll happen. pic.twitter.com/jWSU8kS43Y

— Alex Gonçalves (@Aljeeves) January 20, 2022

Jota has been a revelation since joining the Hoops on deadline day and Goncalves reckons the permanent deal could have been done a lot easier if it wasn’t for one major development at Benfica this season:

This, I agree, likely has a lot of truth to it. It certainly would have been a much more difficult task to persuade him to return if JJ were still manager. Perhaps impossible.

— Alex Gonçalves (@Aljeeves) January 20, 2022

Jorge Jesus was sacked by The Eagles just before the New Year and the general feeling is that had he remained in charge, the likelihood of Jota ever returning to Benfica was extremely small.

Now that the managerial position has changed, has Jota’s mind?

Celtic fans will certainly hope not.