With seven matches remaining in the Scottish Premiership season, Celtic are still chasing the title, aiming to overtake the two sides currently ahead of them and defend their crown.
However, one player who won’t play a role in the run-in is Portuguese winger Jota, who is set to miss the rest of the campaign due to injury.
The former Benfica attacker has been sidelined for the entire season after suffering an ACL injury last April, despite early expectations that he would return by January.
Celtic brought Jota back from Rennes for £8m last January, just 18 months after selling him to Al-Ittihad for £25m. Unfortunately, he featured in only 11 league games before sustaining the injury.
The club will be eager to welcome him back for the 2026/27 season and beyond, given his impressive return of 33 goals and 28 assists in 99 appearances.
Celtic star open to permanent transfer to Parkhead
Jota initially joined Celtic on loan from Benfica during the 2021/22 season under Ange Postecoglou before completing a permanent move for £6.5m.
After an outstanding debut campaign, the club secured his services long-term, only to later sell him for a significant £25m profit just a year later.
Now, a player in Martin O’Neill’s current squad could potentially follow a similar path by making a permanent switch to Glasgow this summer.
Reports from Football Insider suggest that Bournemouth loanee Julian Araujo is willing to complete a permanent move to Celtic in the upcoming transfer window.
The Mexico international is currently on loan until the end of the season, although there is no purchase clause included in the deal.
According to the report, Celtic are keen to sign him, Bournemouth are open to negotiations, and the player himself is interested in returning for another spell.
That said, the transfer fee remains uncertain, particularly as the Premier League side paid £8.5m to acquire him from Barcelona in 2024.
Why Celtic must sign Julian Araujo permanently
Celtic should make a strong effort to secure the Mexican full-back on a permanent basis, as he has made an immediate impact and appears perfectly suited to the club’s environment.
His passion, energy, and overall quality have quickly made him a fan favourite, both for his character and his performances, strengthening the case for a long-term deal.
Beyond his contributions on the pitch, he could also represent a valuable investment, much like Jota previously did.
Supporters will vividly remember his dramatic late strike against Kilmarnock in February, when he fired the ball into the top corner in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 victory—his first goal for the club.
Currently sidelined with injury, the Bournemouth loanee has already demonstrated all the traits of a modern full-back: pace, defensive solidity, attacking support, and composure.
Defensively, he has been particularly impressive, having been beaten by a dribble just four times in ten league appearances, while also showing consistency in possession.
At 24, he offers a well-rounded skill set—capable of scoring, creating opportunities, distributing the ball effectively, winning duels, and taking on opponents.
Given these attributes, Celtic should push to finalize a permanent deal, as he has the potential to become a key player for years to come.
Additionally, his age suggests there is still room for development, and if he continues to progress, the club could eventually benefit financially, just as they did with Jota.