Southampton could land Celtic’s Jota

Southampton may nicely be plotting a transfer to bolster their large choices quickly, with current reports suggesting that Celtic trickster, Jota, is a kind of at present on the membership’s shortlist.

Simply at first of October Football Insider revealed this information, with scouts reportedly having been despatched to view the Portuguese expertise.

Ought to Southampton signal Jota?

Regardless of having introduced in ten new faces, aside from teenager Sam Edozie, Ralph Hasenhuttl didn’t go for any first-team wingers to problem the present crop.

That has left the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Moussa Djenepo as starters, regardless of having a mixed aim tally of simply one for the season.

The suggestion is that he could be a pure match for the Premier League, with Alex McLeish dubbing him a “phenomenal player”.

Having been signed only this summer completely, the 23-year-old had impressed final season while on mortgage at Celtic Park. It, subsequently, does imply that his contract will run till 2027, growing the premium that the Saints will doubtless need to pay.

Nonetheless, with returns comparable to his 13 objectives and 14 assists final season, and ten aim contributions in as many video games within the Scottish Premiership this season, it’s clear that Jota is a lower above the remaining in Scotland and could be nicely value a giant charge

His shows led Ange Postecoglu to dub him a “threat” who had been “outstanding” of their match in opposition to Actual Betis final season whereas different critiques have seen him labelled “special” by journalist Kieran Devlin.

The 5 foot 9 ace has unsurprisingly contributed successfully to Celtic’s overwhelming anticipated objectives tally of 25.26, which aside from Rangers is 12.74 increased than the closest membership.

Jota himself boasts the fifth-best attacking contribution within the league, averaging an anticipated objectives of 0.41 and an anticipated assists of 0.44 per recreation; sensationally excessive numbers.

In the meantime, Djenepo has simply one aim contribution all season for the senior squad.

The Mali worldwide has by no means been an actual aim menace for the Saints, with four objectives in his 78 appearances, however even his carries this season will not be impressing.

He has made one carry that has led to a key go, regardless of averaging 14 per 90.

Jota would offer far more than this underperforming large man who presents little at St Mary’s these days.

Any fears over the participant’s potential to make an influence in English soccer will be swayed by his constant performances in Europe, the place he scored two in his aspect’s depressing Champions League marketing campaign this season, and contributed to four objectives in 5 Europa League video games final yr.

Along with his persistently stellar performances, the Saints ought to swoop rapidly to safe a giant Djenepo improve earlier than his worth will get too excessive.