Jota’s response to a question about his long term future at Celtic after his starring role in the highly significant win at Dingwall on Sunday afternoon, gave nothing away but that should not imply a reluctance to commit his future to Celtic, rather than an agreed strategy among all of the players and the management team to focus all energies and conversations on the task in hand and that is winning the league.
Jota saying nothing though will lead to inevitable speculation and that’s what happened this morning with renewed interest in Bodo Glimt wide-man Ola Solbakken if Jota decides his future lies elsewhere. There were also reports yesterday that newly promoted Fulham are keen on Jota as they make their summer plans for their latest relegation battle in the English Premier League.
🔥 Fulham have added 23-year-old Jota to their short transfer list. #FFC #FulhamFC #Celtic pic.twitter.com/l47jZM2s7v
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) April 26, 2022
This season may well reach a title winning conclusion this weekend but that hasn’t stopped Celtic planning ahead – yes, we live in strange time folks.
Yesterday reports claimed Celtic were targeting Hammarby left-back Mohanad Jeahze. The Iraqi international has already caught the attention of Polish side Lech Poznan, who had a bid for the player turned down last summer, but with Keahze only having a year left on his current contract there may well be more of an inclination for his Swedish employer to accept a bid in the summer transfer window.
Now, according to a Daily Mail report featured this morning in Daily Record, Celtic are also looking at a talented contingency plan, and a player well known to Hoops fans, should our weekend Portuguese superstar Jota fail to turn his loan move with an option to buy attached into a permanent arrangement.
The player Celtic are rumoured to have targeted is Bodo Glimt wide-man Ola Solbakken, who was a standout performer for the impressive Norwegian champions as they defeated Celtic over two legs in the Europa Conference League, scoring and assisting over the two-legged play-off match.
Celtic were apparently offered Solbakken last summer, something his agent confirmed, and now the papers are reporting that Celtic will look to ‘rekindle’ that interest this summer should Jota decide his future lies away from Celtic.
It is believed Celtic’s early intention is to target three positions for players of first team ready quality this season. A left back, a central defender – whether Cameron Carter-Vickers signs permanently or not – and a right winger. As such the Solbakken fall back option certainly ticks the right boxes in terms of the recruitment targets for the close season.
Solbakken, a twice capped Norwegian international, has started the new Eliteserien season well, with the 23-year-old grabbing a goal and two assists this season in his first four games, he also scored six goals in just 11 games during Bodo Glimt’s Europa League Conference campaign.
There aren’t many in the Celtic support who wouldn’t wish to see Jota sign on a permanent deal, but it’s certainly reassuring to hear Celtic aren’t taking anything for granted and planning for any eventuality. In the case of Solbakken it has to be said he’d be a talented and effective alternative should Jota choose not to commit long-term to Celtic.
With so many Celtic players impressing this season – yesterday six made the PFA Scotland Team of the Year including both Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers – there is bound to be speculation linking other clubs with our star players. Understand yes, but it should be ignored until the season is over.
Why would they want to leave this Celtic team, heading for the Champions League?
Niall J
Makes sense Celtic were offered Solbakken last season and didn’t take him on, just another mistake added to a historically calamitous season; would love to see us sign him now though, and Jota permanently!
Lets hope the board back Ange the right way and give him full financial support in building on this impressive team he’s put together…