Celtic are preparing to sell star winger Jota to Al-Ittihad for over £20million

Celtic are set to sell winger Jota to Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth more than £20million.

Signed from Benfica for £7m last summer, the Portuguese wide man has agreed terms on a life-changing salary in excess of £10m a year tax free.

Real Madrid legend and Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante have already completed money moves to Al Ittihad.

Coached by Nuno Espirito Santos, a Jota deal is now being finalised by Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes.

Signed initially on loan from Benfica by Ange Postecoglou, the attacker agreed to move to Glasgow on a permanent deal last July. He claimed 15 goals in 43 appearances – including a stunning free-kick in a heavy defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League – as Celtic secured a domestic treble.

The 24-year-old won Goal of the Season at this year’s PFA Scotland Player of the Year Awards

Now, barring a late hitch, the 24-year-old will follow Postecoglou out the door to join countryman Cristiano Ronaldo in a Saudi Pro League hoovering up some of Europe’s top talents.

The country’s Sovereign Wealth Fun recently took control of four teams – including Al-Ittihad – sparking a frenzied spending spree.

Armed with grand designs on becoming one of the top five leagues on the planet, the Saudis failed to land Lionel Messi, but have already been linked with Manchester City’s Treble-winning pair Bernardo Silva and Riyaz Mahrez – with money no object.

Asian football expert Martin Lowe expects the four clubs coming under state control to target elite players as part of the government’s Vision 2030 plan.

‘This plan is spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), as a dynamic change for modern Saudi society, which will look to move away from their reliance on oil reserves, into a forward-looking Arab nation that will appeal to their younger, and growingly liberal demographic,’ claims Lowe.

The Portuguese wide man played a vital role in helping Celtic secure the domestic treble

Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema was unveiled as an Al-Ittihad player at the start of June

‘Sport and leisure is one mere sector within 13 areas in the plan; but within the sport section, ambitions such as acquiring Newcastle United and reforming the domestic league were key road markers set out in advance.

‘MBS announced the privatisation of the league’s domestic clubs. The previous model meant all clubs were under the control of the state; however a push towards private business ownership is seen to be a more sustainable route forward.’

The final Jota deal will come close to the record £25m paid to Celtic for Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney in 2019.

Already handed a sizeable budget for signings, Brendan Rodgers will be handed much of the Jota profit – after Benfica claim a hefty sell-on fee – to re-invest in the squad. Celtic have already signed 20-year-old Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and have now agreed terms with Australian international winger Marco Tilio.