Michael Stewart cannot believe Celtic haven’t tried to sign £25m attacker again this summer

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Brendan Rodgers’ search for quality players for Celtic has almost become a mantra over the last twelve months.

The Hoops boss has brought in four players this summer and with Matt O’Riley’s Celtic future looking murky, Rodgers will need to look at replacing his star man should he decide to leave for Brighton this week.

Whilst the debate continues over the positions Rodgers really needs to strengthen at Celtic, Michael Stewart has said that he is dumbfounded that the club have not considered making a move or even discussed going for £25m Portuguese winger, Jota.

Jota has the ‘X-factor’ for Celtic

Jota’s future at Al-Ittihad has been the subject of discussion ever since he made his £25m move to the Saudi club last summer.

And with rumours suggesting that he could be on his way out of Al-Ittihad, Stewart reckons Celtic should be making a move for the Portuguese attacker.

Stewart told The Scottish Football Social Club, “It is a little bit of an awkward one, but I would imagine that they’re working and I think Brendan Rodgers has said himself that he wants another midfielder, and if Matt O’Reilly goes he wants two.

“So I would imagine that they’re working on all eventualities here because the last thing you really want or need is to be getting to the last day or two of the window.

“And it’s amazing how clubs find that extra few million quid to get a deal done and then have Matt O’Reilly going and not have that extra player that they’re looking for.

“But I keep saying it, for me, looking Celtic at the moment, I still feel like centre half and wide are the two areas where you’d be looking to try and strengthen that starting eleven.

“And that’s no disrespect to Liam Scales because, by the way, he’s been brilliant, but he would have no qualms with playing him but I think if you’re going to look to try to have that impact in Europe, they’re the areas (that need to be improved).

“Somebody with an X factor in the wide areas, perhaps a Jota back on loan. I can’t believe it’s never been discussed or floated as an idea.”

Jota would be a superb addition to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic

Looking at how Celtic are playing their football right now, Jota would be a superb addition to the Hoops’ attack.

There is no doubt that Celtic have failed to replace Jota’s quality but even on loan, the club could not afford to cover his £200,00 per week salary unless he agreed to take a massive pay cut.

After making his permanent move to Paradise in 2022, Jota had an incredible season for Celtic. Winning the treble, the 25-year-old scored 15 goals and created 12 assists before leaving the club in 2023.

Would Jota consider a return to Celtic Park where he was lauded as a hero? It’s difficult to say but what is without question is that he would be welcomed with open arms by the vast majority of the Parkhead support.