Liverpool midfielder Fabinho could be set to link up with Jota at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. The Brazilian midfielder is reportedly being targeted in a move worth £40m but this is potentially reassuring news for Celtic supporters as it means that they are unlikely to return to Celtic this summer.
There had been a suggestion that Reo Hatate would be the next player to be targeted by the cash-rich Saudi outfit. According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Fabinho is wanted and there is expected to move quite quickly towards completion.
🚨 Al-Ittihad set to make concrete bid to sign Fabinho from Liverpool for £40m. Expected to develop fast one way or other. Key issue for #LFC is letting No6 go without replacement but working on this – Romeo Lavia among multiple options @TheAthleticFC #SPL https://t.co/kZJO2Xu5IT
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 13, 2023
Hatate was actually the first player to be linked with a move to the Saudi Gulf when his name appeared on social media. There was a suggestion that he would be next to be pursued after the Jota deal but speculation has cooled and efforts to sign Fabinho would likely put an end to that speculation.
Hatate has made 66 appearances for Celtic since arriving from Kawasaki Frontale in the January of 2022. In that time, Reo scored thirteen times and assisted a further fourteen times. The midfielder was exceptional last season and could go to another level under Brendan Rodgers. Although, with Ange managing Spurs, he may fancy a move to the English Premier League in the not too distant future.
Jota spent two years at Celtic, with the first being a loan from Benfica before a £6.5m move last summer. In 83 appearances, Jota has scored 28 goals and assisted 26 times. This form prompted the £27m interest from Saudi, where he now links up with Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante in Jeddah.
