Jota was pulled in from the cold after Marcelo Gallardo was named as his new gaffer.
Jota appears to have received a reprieve from Al-Ittihad after being named to their Club World Cup squad for next month’s competition in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese wide player has been linked with a return to previous side Celtic as well as a loan deal to Newcastle, which is still a possibility after the English Premier League ruled against a temporary ban on loans between affiliated clubs. When asked if he’d make a bid to bring the former Benfica man back to Parkhead, Brendan Rodgers said he’d have to “ask Michael Nicholson,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Hoops’ CEO.
Jota wasn’t included in his new club’s squad for Saudi Pro League fixtures as Al-Ittihad could only register so many foreign players. But now Marcelo Gallardo, who replaced the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo, appears to be willing to give Jota more of a look in. Al-Ittihad face New Zealand side Auckland City in the first round in Jeddah and would then face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the next round if they go through. Jota made a total of 51 league starts for Celtic and scored 21 goals in his loan spell and permanent move.
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