Transfer Centre

Tottenham Hotspur considering move for Al-Ittihad's Jota?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 September 2023

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is reportedly keen to reunite with former Celtic and Al-Ittihad attacker Jota during the January transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Posteocglou is reportedly eyeing a reunion with Al-Ittihad attacker Jota in North London.

The Portuguese winger shone during Celtic's treble-winning season in 2022-23, amassing 11 goals and 10 assists in the Scottish Premiership during Postecoglou's final campaign at the helm.

While the Australian coach left for the Premier League, Jota jetted off to join the Saudi Pro League revolution, arriving at Al-Ittihad in a transfer worth £25.4m.

The former Benfica man linked up with revered stars such as Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante in Saudi Arabia, and his contract runs for three years until the summer of 2026.

However, Jota has been a peripheral figure during his early days under Nuno Espirito Santo, and he is yet to start for his new club in the Saudi Pro League, making five substitute appearances and scoring just one goal.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reacts on September 2, 2023 © Reuters

The 24-year-old has also been absent from Al-Ittihad's last two wins over Al-Okhdood and Al-Fateh, having fallen foul of Saudi Pro League rules, which only permit eight overseas players in a team's squad.

With Al-Ittihad capturing nine foreign players during their hectic summer of spending, Jota is set to be restricted to AFC Champions League and Club World Cup, and The Mirror claims that Tottenham are hoping to capitalise.

Jota supposedly asked to have his contract terminated only a couple of months after arriving in the Middle East, but Santo is still counting on the attacker for the long-term and rejected his request.

However, Jota is supposedly preparing to consider his options in the January transfer window, and Postecoglou would welcome his former Bhoys winger to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with open arms.

The Lilywhites bolstered their attacking ranks with the signings of Manor Solomon and Brennan Johnson over the summer, as well as turning Dejan Kulusevski's loan move from Juventus into a permanent deal.

Ivan Perisic in action for Tottenham Hotspur in September 2023 © Reuters

New signing James Maddison can also occupy a wide role if necessary, but the Lilywhites were recently dealt a devastating blow with Ivan Perisic, who could miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

The Croatian veteran sustained the "complex" issue during a recent training session and may have played his final game for Tottenham, who only have him under contract until the end of the season.

Perisic had not started a Premier League game for Spurs under Postecoglou before his injury, but he was a valuable option off the bench, setting up Richarlison's equaliser in last weekend's breathtaking 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United.

Richarlison had come off the bench against the Blades, but the Brazilian is expected to be restored to the first XI for Sunday's North London derby against Arsenal, with Son Heung-min occupying the left-hand side.

Spurs travel to the Emirates boasting 13 points from their opening five Premier League fixtures, marking their best start to a top-flight season since the 1965-66 campaign.