Tottenham receive potentially massive transfer boost with a week left

Former Celtic star Jota, who thrived during Ange’s time at Parkhead, is expected to part ways with Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad just two months after becoming their club-record signing, potentially leaving the door ajar for a last-minute Tottenham swoop. 

The historically disastrous signing for both the Saudi club and Jota has barely graduated from the honeymoon stage.

Al Ittihad, who can be likened to Chelsea for their lavish, tasteless, and no-limit spending, now have Mo Salah in its crosshairs. Then again, most teams in the Saudi Pro League spend like an insecure bloke trying to impress a first date.

So, almost as quickly as it started, Jota is set for an unceremoniously premature departure from the oil-rich nation.

Jota scored 15 goals and added 12 helpers in 43 matches in all competitions under Ange’s tutelage last season. Al Ittihad purchased the 24-year-old for £25 million less than two months ago.

The ridiculously short tenure in Saudi Arabia shouldn’t be seen as a black mark or blight on the Portuguese. While it’s clear his experiment under Nuno Espírito Santo in Saudi Arabia has failed miserably, you can’t fault the lad for giving it a go.

It’s not like he’s the first player persuaded by the Saudi’s opulence and in-your-face, over-the-top wealth. Al Ittihad’s roster is a who’s who of high-profile names in or entering the twilight of their careers, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho.

Jota’s disastrous spell in Saudi might also benefit Tottenham financially if they decide to pursue him. Surely, Al Ittihad can’t ask for more than the £25 million they purchased him for.

You don’t take a car off the lot, drive it for two months, and resell it for more than its original worth. Whether that logic extends to a football club with more money than sense is yet to be determined.

The versatile winger can play dynamically on both sides of the pitch, offering goalscoring nous and an ability to find an incisive, seeing-eye pass consistently.

And he’s tried and tested under Ange. The Aussie gaffer knows Jota and has an excellent working relationship with the winger.

With only a week left in the transfer window, Tottenham will have to work incredibly quickly to have any chance of making a deal happen. Quick and Tottenham, however, are two words at odds when completing potential transfers.

According to SalarySport, Jota is making only £17,000 weekly at the Saudi club, a comparatively paltry amount. That amount sounds farcically inaccurate, especially when juxtaposed against Benzema’s (£278,000) and Kante’s (£290,00) weekly pay packets.

Then again, the club probably offers garish, off-the-book riches, like villas and other incentives.
Regardless, Tottenham has some work to do if they are to secure Jota’s services.