Emerging Celtic transfer headlines as Jota in Glasgow, Evan Ferguson U-turn and eye-popping Kvistgaarden fee revealed
Celtic fans brace yourself.. Jota has TOUCHED DOWN in Glasgow.
The fans' favourite is on the verge of a stunning return to Parkhead - just 18 months after a huge £25million switch to Saudi Arabia. Brendan Rodgers is set to bring him back for a fee in the region of £8-9millon after struggles in the Pro League and then in France with Rennes. It's major news for the supporters, with top striker Kyogo heading in the opposite way in a deal worth around £10m.
Jota was due to fly to Scotland earlier in the week, but Storm Eowyn has wreaked havoc across the country and on travel plans. It means he's had a delay but he's been at Celtic Park today alongside Hoops top brass. Record Sport revealed on Friday the plan was for the returning winger to head north. The league leaders were due to play Dundee this afternoon but the game was called off due to storm damage at the stadium. A rearranged date has already been announced by both clubs and the SPFL.
With Kyogo heading, Rodgers has made it clear he wants another striker in the door this month. Daizen Maeda is capable of playing through the middle while Adam Idah arrived for £9m in the summer - but has struggled for form and goals of late. Evan Ferguson has been touted as a huge loan from the English Premier League. He burst onto the scene and was tipped to join some huge Euro heavyweights - but he's not been in the picture of late and after initially ruling out a loan, his boss Fabian Hurzeler has performed a major U-turn which will alert Celtic and other interested parties.
Back in November the Seagulls boss told the striker he would be staying at the Amex and would have to 'accept his role' - but that stance has softened with Hurzeler admitting: "It’s very important Evan gets back on the pitch. At the moment he suffers because of the injury. Also, he proved why he is here playing for Brighton.
“He came from the youth academy and that’s the way of the club. We will negotiate what is important for him, what is important for his development, where he can improve the best and then we will make the decision together. This decision should be what is best for the player and for the club.”
Elsewhere, Mathias Kvistgaarden will set back Celtic a huge eight-figure fee if they want to land him from Brondby. Rodgers has held a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old and with Kyogo heading out, he's understood to be one of the top candidates to replace him.
However, his current employers would prefer to keep their star man on the books until the summer at least, unless a record bid in the excess of £10m lands on the desks of club bosses state Sky Sports.
Kieran Tierney is another one the fans are desperate to get over the line. Pre-contract talks are down the line over a sensational return to the club from Arsenal. The Gunners have already confirmed they won't be extending his contract that expires in the summer.
But Mikel Arteta has had to call on the Scotland international in recent weeks and he was once again thrown into the mix with three minutes left of the 90 plus stoppage time as the 10-man Gunners claimed a priceless point.
