Newcastle United & West Ham linked with winger - just six months after £25m move

Newcastle United are prepared to offer Portuguese winger Jota an escape route from his Saudi Arabian nightmare, according to reports. The 24-year-old joined At-Ettihad from Celtic last summer as their £25million record signing. He arrived as part of the Saudi Pro League’s ambitious sporting project, with superstars Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante also signing for the club.

A Portugal under-21 international, Jota made his mark in Scotland under Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou. Talk of a Premier League move cooled when Middle Eastern interest emerged.

However, Newcastle and West Ham United are now linked with giving Jota a UK return just six months after leaving for the Middle East. Capable of playing on either flank, the Benfica academy graduate would give the Magpies depth in an area they have struggled to cope with injury-wise.

Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon have been relied on heavily due to Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes’ long-term setbacks. West Ham, too, are stretched up front, with Jarrod Bowen having to play as an out-and-out striker for much of the campaign.

Mohammed Kudus has returned early from the African Cup of Nations following Ghana’s early exit which could reduce their desperation for the winger. On the left flank, where Said Benrahma, also on AFCON duty, plays, Maxwel Cornet impressed last weekend by bagging his first goal of the season.

As it stands, Jota is desperate to end his Saudi Pro League nightmare and return to first-team football in Europe. The report notes how he was shunned for their mid-season trip to Dubai and there is “no way back” for him at Al-Ettihad. A recent trend has seen players U-turn about playing in the Gulf state shortly after arrival. Jordan Henderson famously relished the “project” before jumping ship to Dutch giants Ajax earlier this month.