Celtic are weighing up a move to sign their next Jota

The Scottish Premiership the table does not lie, with the current champions Celtic sitting pretty at the top thanks to a commanding 13 point lead over their nearest title ‘rivals’.

However, a shock 3-0 defeat away at Ibrox – as well as a thrilling 3-3 draw at Dundee on Tuesday – showed that this Hoops side is far from the finished article, with Brendan Rodgers he needs additional reinforcements if he wants to continue until the end of 2025.

Although the midweek trip to Dens Park may have exposed the Glasgow side’s defensive woes, particularly with Auston Trusty he found himself the target of criticism from his managerattacking unit could also do with a fresh lick of paint, especially amid reports that Luis Palma could be on the way before the end of the month.

Along with Adam Idaho, who has now failed to score in any of his own the last ten league games – while Yang Hyun-jun registered a miserable total six goals and an assist in a total of 49 games for the club – the need for additional firepower is evident, with Rodgers over-relying on the attacking trio of Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo Furuhashi. That triumvirate has scored 42 goals between them in 2024/25 in all competitions.

Fortunately, new signings for the Parkhead giants appear to be all right, with Rodgers and co looking set to make a move for what could prove to be their next Jota…

Celtic’s attacking transfer target

As reported by Daily Mail reporter Stephen McGowan, the Old Firm side are said to be weighing the offer for Real Valladolid sensation Raul Moro, with the 22-year-old also earning admiring glances from Ajax.

According to the report, the Dutch side are yet to step up their interest in the promising Spaniard despite publicly confirming their admiration for the young winger, offering Celtic the chance to make a swoop should they so desire.

Any deal this month would require a significant bid, however, with Valladolid having set an asking price of around £8.5m.

That number would be just behind what Rodgers singled for both Idaho (9.5 million pounds) and Arne Engels (11 million pounds) over the summer, as well as with a £9m signing Odsonne Edouard back in 2018, which would potentially make it work one of the biggest jobs during his time at Parkhead if he comes through.

Celtic could get the next Jota

Whether Celtic will be able to overtake powerhouse Ajax with Mor’s signature remains to be seen, although it is certainly an encouraging sign that Rodgers and Co are also in the equation, with £17k a week the forward has deservedly caught the eye lately.

Indeed, the quick-footed talent has been earning rave reviews since his days in Barcelona’s youth academy, no less, with his agent of Junior Minguella having previously said of his time at La Masia:

That resemblance to the big Argentine stems mostly from Moro’s diminutive 5-foot-6 frame, as well as his elite dribbling skills, as evidenced by the fact that he is averaging 1.9 successful dribbles per game in La Liga this season.

To put that into context, as noted above, former Celtic talisman Jota ‘only’ averaged 1.5 in this regard during his final season in the Premiership, indicating what a wizard down the flanks Moro really is.

While the former Lazio star – who, like Jota, also primarily operates on the left flank – has just three goals and one assist so far in 2024/25, it’s worth remembering Jota’s relatively limited impact in the senior season. game, before his move to Glasgow.

The Portuguese sensation had scored only three goals and registered just two assists in 34 games for Benfica, while also, ironically, enduring a mixed loan spell at Moro’s current side, Valladolid, scoring just twice in 18 appearances.

The 25-year-old would then continue to play Scottish football 54 goals in only 83 games in that famous green and white jersey, with Mora – who has 13 goals and assists in 50 games total in Spain – boasting all the credentials to potentially emulate his fellow winger.

Rodgers already has Kuhn and Maeda to call on in those wideout roles, but, as mentioned earlier, quality competition and cover must certainly be on the agenda.