Everton want to sign Jota in January transfer deal after talks held at Goodison Park

Everton have held talks about a possible January transfer deal to sign Al-Ittihad winger Jota before the February 1 deadline, according to HITC.

The football news outlet reported that Everton are among clubs interested in a deal for the winger, naming Tottenham, West Ham, Brighton and Newcastle as other potential suitors.

Jota moved to Al-Ittihad from Celtic for a £25million fee in the summer but is now looking to end his spell in Saudi Arabia after he was left out of their Dubai training camp.

A brilliant opportunity

Jota’s potential availability on a free transfer [Daily Record, 2 January] would present a brilliant opportunity for a Premier League club to sign him after a successful spell with Celtic means his stock remains high in the UK despite a difficult few months in Saudi Arabia.

The Portuguese would be the latest big-name star to leave the Middle East after just a short period, following former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson who joined Ajax, and Jota’s teammate Karim Benzema who is heavily linked with an exit from Al-Ittihad.Given Everton’s financial situation, with FFP and Profit and Sustainability rules clamping down on the Toffees, the opportunity to sign Jota on a potential free transfer may be the best chance they get to add some real quality to Sean Dyche’s squad.

With Arnaut Danjuma reportedly close to an exit this winter, Jota would arrive as a direct replacement for the Dutchman and would also represent a step up in quality after a disappointing loan spell for Danjuma.

In other Everton news, the club are now open to a £60million exit in January.