Three wingers Celtic ought to signal to exchange Jota

Celtic had been hit with a reasonably devastating blow at the beginning of this month when it was confirmed that the knee harm sustained by Jota goes to maintain him out for one of the best a part of a 12 months.

The Hoops winger hobbled off throughout the first half of the 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice, a consequence that received the Scottish Premiership title, with a knee harm.

Brendan Rodgers then confirmed that the Portuguese ahead could possibly be out for up to 9 months with a cruciate ligament harm, which implies that the attacker is unlikely to be match for the beginning of subsequent season.

Based mostly on that timeline, there’s a actual likelihood that Jota won’t play for Celtic once more in 2025, with a return within the first couple of months of 2026 at present being projected, and that might pressure the membership’s hand in the summertime switch window.

The Scottish giants are set to be and not using a key huge attacker for an enormous chunk of the 2025/26 marketing campaign, which may lead to them swooping for one more winger within the coming months.

With this in thoughts, we’ve got taken a have a look at three potential signings the Hoops may make to exchange Jota till he returns from his long-term harm.

1

Tyrhys Dolan

Firstly, Blackburn Rovers dynamo Tyrhys Dolan is an intriguing possibility for the Scottish giants as a result of he’s set to be out of contract on the finish of June, and can be out there as a free agent.

Celtic are reportedly eager about a cut price swoop to signal the 23-year-old star from the English Championship aspect and it’s straightforward to see why he has emerged as a horny goal for the membership.

In addition to probably being an economical signing resulting from his contract state of affairs at Ewood Park, Dolan can also be a perfect match for Celtic from a footballing perspective, as a result of he can comfortably play on the proper wing, on the left wing, as a centre-forward, or as an attacking midfielder, with a minimum of 26 appearances in his profession in every place.

Which means that Rodgers may use him on both flank, as he did with Jota when the winger was out there, which makes him a like-for-like alternative for the previous Rennes man in that sense.

As you may see within the desk above, Dolan additionally confirmed indicators of promise in a midtable Blackburn staff within the Championship, delivering 14 targets and ‘large probabilities’ created mixed in a staff that didn’t end inside the highest six within the division.

The 23-year-old star has but to show that he can ship targets and assists persistently, although, so there may be nonetheless a query mark over whether or not or not his output would enhance if he performed in a greater staff.

2

Kwame Poku

Sticking with the decrease leagues in England, Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku is one other gifted younger prospect who has been linked with a transfer to Parkhead this summer time.

The Hoops have reportedly despatched scouts to observe the Ghana worldwide in motion this season, and he could possibly be out there for a compensation payment when his contract with the Posh expires this summer time.

Poku performed in a decrease division than Dolan, in League One, however did showcase his means to ship constant high quality within the last third as a part of a staff that was chasing promotion to the second tier.

The 24-year-old magician ended the season with a return of 12 targets, 9 ‘large probabilities’ created, and eight assists in 27 matches within the league for Peterborough, while predominantly taking part in on the proper flank.

While he has proven promise as a winger who can ship high quality regularly, Poku wouldn’t be a like-for-like alternative for Jota as a result of he’s a left-footed attacker who sometimes performs on the other flank.

Which means that there could possibly be higher choices on the market to instantly change Jota, and a kind of choices may come from additional afield, in Norway particularly.

3

Sondre Orjasaeter

Celtic reportedly had a suggestion turned down for Sarpsborg ahead Sondre Orjasaeter within the January switch window, because the Norwegian aspect had been in search of a payment of £7m for the winger.

The 21-year-old star, as soon as dubbed an “artist” by Havard Flo, could possibly be the proper alternative for Jota due to his age, his model of play, and his high quality.

While he’s comfortably the costliest participant on this listing, as the opposite two choices are out of contract this summer time, Orjasaeter could possibly be definitely worth the expense for the Scottish giants.

Stylistically, the Norwegian sensation can be a perfect match for the Hoops as a result of he’s a right-footed attacker who predominantly performs on the left flank, simply as Jota does.

As you may see within the desk above, Orjasaeter has caught the attention along with his performances for Sarpsborg within the Eliteserien because the begin of the 2024 marketing campaign, with six targets and 19 ‘large probabilities’ created in 35 appearances.

This exhibits that he has the power to make a big influence on the prime finish of the pitch, regardless of solely being 21, from a left wing place, which is another excuse why he could possibly be a perfect signing to exchange Jota this summer time for Rodgers.

Orjasaeter, after all, is unproven in British soccer, in contrast to Dolan and Poku, and that’s one factor that goes towards him on this listing, however the Hoops may gamble on his performances for Sarpsborg translating effectively to Scottish soccer, making him the dream signing to fill that left wing place.

It’ll now be fascinating to see if Celtic go in for any of those three gamers, on condition that they’re all reported to be of curiosity, or in the event that they resolve to look elsewhere to bolster their huge choices.