Celtic always felt up against it in their pursuit of a forward with Premier League admirers, a couple of Portugal caps, and a £17 million release clause in his contract.
And the comments made by Portuguese reporter Nuno Farinha to CNN Portugal, when asked about one of the most coveted talents in Iberian football, only highlights the sheer size of the task facing Brendan Rodgers’ side, even if Celtic may yet have an advantage over Benfica with Jota Silva seemingly keen on a fresh start outside of his homeland.
“I think that Jota, who has already expressed his intention to go abroad, will actually leave Portugal,” Farinha predicts.
“Benfica would be willing to negotiate for Jota. (But) not for 20 million euros. So it seems to me that this interest from Benfica was nothing more than that; interest.”
Celtic face big challenge for Jota Silva
That may be as far as Celtic’s ‘interest’ goes too. Then again, that depends on how much of a discount Jota Silva’s current employers – Vitoria Guimaraes – are willing to accept on his sizeable release clause.
£17 million looks well out of Celtic’s reach. But £10 million, the fee put forward by Jornal de Noticias? That would still represent a club-record investment from the Premiership leaders, but an outlay that could be financed by Champions League qualification and the recent, big-money sales of Liel Abada and the Portugal international’s namesake Jota Felipe.
“At the moment, (Jota Silva is) a player with a lot of admirers,” Farinha adds, the 24-year-old forcing his way into the Portugal squad for the first time ahead of this summer’s European Championships.
“The fact that he was part of the national team, and that he played, adds a lot of value to a player. Even more so, we are talking about the big clubs around the world.
“From that day on he was no longer unknown, everyone started to realise that there was a player who could be of great interest to several markets. Namely for the English, where I think he can do well.”
Premier League interest in Portugal star
There is certainly no shortage of English interest in Jota Silva, who has been nicknamed the ‘Portuguese Grealish’ albeit as much due to his slicked-back hair as his cutting edge in the final third.
With 15 goals and seven assists, Jota Silva is the most potent Portuguese talent to represent Vitoria Guimaraes for over 40 years, HITC reporting that admiration for the stylish forward exists not only at Celtic but at Brighton, Wolves and Premier League returnees Leicester City too.
“He is an athlete who comes from the districts, which makes his rise almost utopian. His resilience and belief in his abilities are extraordinary. The result of a family base of hard work and humility,” smiles Joao Cunha, who worked with a teenage Jota Silva at Sousense (Record).
“Jota Silva’s humility and dedication are often highlighted by those who know him well. Wherever he goes, all the clubs love him.”