Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland, Britain - February 9, 2022, Celtic's Jota scores.
Southampton are keeping tabs on Celtic winger Jota as the club plan a move to bring him to St. Mary’s next summer, according to Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Jota’s career
Since arriving at the Scottish giants in 2021, the 23-year-old has impressed in a green-and-white Hoops shirt.
Just last year in his first season at Celtic, the former U21 Portugal international bagged seven goals and eight assists in 24 Premiership appearances.
So far this season, Jota has maintained his electric start to life at Celtic Park, having produced four goals and five assists in the side’s opening nine top-flight fixtures.
Furthermore, the attacker also recently netted in the Champions League as the Hoops fell short in a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig.
The Latest: Southampton news
According to a report by Football Insider, Southampton will continue to keep tabs on Jota this season as they plan on making a move for the Celtic star next summer.
Saints scouts have reportedly been very impressed by the former Benfica wide man, and consequently they have shared glowing reports to the south-coast club’s recruitment team.
As a result, Jota has been added to Southampton’s list of attackers who have the potential to make the leap to the Premier League.
The Verdict: Huge talent
When looking at Jota’s underlying stats, it is easy to see why Southampton believe the winger could make the step up to perform at the highest level in the English top-flight.
As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, the 23-year-old ranks in the top two percent for expected goals assisted and in the top four percent for non-penalty goals and non-penalty expected goals plus expected goals assisted.
Having been hailed as a ‘phenomenal player’ by former Rangers manager Alex McLeish, Jota certainly has the talent to make an impression at St. Mary’s.
Therefore, having earnt statistical comparisons to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Tottenham’s Heung-Min Son, this would be a brilliant addition for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s squad.
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