Celtic are closing in on a permanent deal for Portuguese winger Jota, according to reports this evening. The 22-year-old joined on loan from Benfica with an option to make the move permanent for £6.5m and now The Daily Record are reporting that this could be concluded in the coming days with talks progressing well.

The winger has scored 8 goals and 6 goals in 18 appearances and has endeared himself to the Celtic support with energetic displays on the wing. It would be a coup for Celtic, especially given that he will likely only increase in value over the next few years.

Ange Postecoglou has already stated his intention to retain Jota as well as Tottenham Hotspur’s Cameron Carter-Vickers. The manager said that the club brought the pair in with a long-term plan in mind and is keen to secure the pair this window. Postecoglou has already added Maeda, Hatate, Ideguchi and Kenny but Australian midfielder Riley McGree is being linked too.

Celtic are clearly doing their business early under Michael Nicholson and Postecoglou as the club face a busy January due to the rearrangements from bringing the winter break forward. Jota injured himself in the win over Hearts at the beginning of December. However, he will be keen to get himself back into contention for the second half of the season as Celtic look to compete across three fronts.