Celtic transfer news bulletin as Jota confesses Saudi reality check while Tete contract demands revealed
The winger left Scottish football behind for a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League.
Winger Jota insists he will need time to adjust to life in Saudi Arabia after leaving Celtic this summer.
The winger opted to leave the Scottish Premiership champions in a big money deal that saw him join Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante in the mega-money Al-Iittihad squad as he became the latest star to make the move the Middle East. The Treble winner made his debit for the Saudi side last week and also featured in a 1-0 win over Tunisian outfit CS Sfaxien in the Arab Champions Cup.
A goal from Benzema won them the game in Riyadh, but the £25million Portuguese winger reckons he's not quite up to speed yet with his superstar teammates. He said: "It will take me time to adapt to football in Saudi Arabia. It's a different style. But I thought we played some nice football and we are only going to get stronger once the team gets used to playing with each other
"And there are still going to be more players who will join the team too. We will develop each week. I don't think it's a secret that we are going to be very strong in attack. For me personally, playing with guys like Karim Benzema, Abderrazak Hamdallah and Romarinho will be a fantastic experience. We have some great players in the squad, but it will take time to build up a complete understanding with them all."
Celtic are still looking for a Jota replacement - and Tete could be that man. The winger has reportedly set out his contract demands to Fenerbahce after becoming a free agent - but that leaves an opening for the Hoops
Brendan Rodgers took the 23-year-old to Leicester City last term and reports suggested that the Irishman was keen on bringing the Brazilian to the Premiership after his Shakhtar Donetsk contract was ripped up amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Tete appears keen to settle elsewhere in Europe with Fenerbahce reportedly leading the race for the attacker as he weighs up his future while on holiday.
Reports in Turkey now claim that the deal on offer falls short of what the player requested. Vatan claim Fenerbahce offered €4.5million (£3.8million) per year with bonuses and a three-year-deal. The wide man has reportedly demanded €5million (£4.2million) annually and €2.5 million (£2.1million) as a signing bonus.
The Scottish champions are also keeping tabs on Jeremie Frimpong's situation at Bayer Leverkusen. With the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid reportedly interested a major windfall could be on the way to Celtic this summer.
However, Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has moved to cool exit talk. He insists right-back Arthur has been signing as back-up to the Netherlands cap for next season - and not as a replacement. The Spaniard told Kicker: "We want competition within the team. Last season we had them in a few positions. But Jerrie played almost all the time. Now he has competition and has to earn his position."