According to a Portuguese source, Celtic are now closing in on completing the permanent signing of last season's loan star Jota.

The Lowdown: Standout performer

The 23-year-old arrived in the Scottish Premiership last summer when he joined the Hoops from Benfica on a season-long deal with an option to buy included as part of the move.

The winger was a standout performer and enjoyed a hugely successful first season in Glasgow, having scored a remarkable 13 goals and provided 14 assists in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt, and it would appear as though this scintillating form has forced Ange Postecoglou to bring him back to Parkhead for good.

The Latest: Closing in

In a new article published by Portuguese outlet Record (via footballscotland), it’s claimed that Celtic have the ‘agreement in place’ to sign Jota from Benfica for a fee believed to be £6.5m.

The source further states that the forward is currently ‘ironing out contract details’ ahead of a making a return to the club, with the Bhoys ‘keen’ to secure his signature and a deal 'edging closer'.

The Verdict: Huge boost for Celtic

If the Hoops can tie down Jota on a permanent basis, this would come as a huge boost for the Australian boss, who will be wanting to assemble his squad as soon as possible ahead of the start of the new season.

Postecoglou has already successfully managed to bag Cameron Carter-Vickers, another signing who impressed on loan having joined the club last year, and if the Lisbon-born talent follows in his footsteps, they could both end up making a massive difference to the starting XI once more.

Jota was dubbed a 'wonderkid' and 'magician' by talent scout Jacek Kulig, while Marvin Bartley called him a 'dream' for strikers, and his assist numbers last term certainly back that praise up.

In other news… Celtic are set to make a new appointment on the first-team coaching staff.