Jota Celtic transfer return hopes fade as Al Ittihad outcast in 'advanced talks' over fresh start

Former Celtic hero Jota is reportedly close to securing an escape route from Al Ittihad.

The Portuguese winger made a life-changing move to the Middle East last summer in a bumper £25million switch from Parkhead. But while the Hoops Treble-winner is believed to be pocketing a staggering £200k-per-week, Jota's career has suffered after being cut from the club's Pro League squad for the first six months of his debut season.

The ex-Benfica starlet did manage to earn a spot in the list of registered foreign players at the turn of the year but finds himself out of the picture yet again under new boss Laurent Blanc. Al Ittihad have splashed out almost £100m, landing marquee signings Moussa Diaby and Houssem Aouar. And their latest spending spree has only pushed Jota further down the pecking order after the 25-year-old was banished from first-team training and excluded from their friendly match against Al-Qadisiyah despite being fit.

Jota has made it clear he wants to quit the club this summer and get his career back on track and RMC Sport claims that the talented attacker is in 'advanced talks' with French side Stade Rennais. Jota's extortionate salary is said to be a major stumbling block but with discussions 'going well', the Al Ittihad misfit is said to have 'resigned' himself to lowering his wage demands.

Celtic fans have been dreaming of their cult hero making a stunning return to Parkhead this summer but the Hoops aren't in the running for his signature.