Celtic have not made a move to re-sign Jota from Al-Ittihad, according to Football Scotland reporter Mark Hendry.

The usually reliable journalist was responding to speculation that the Portuguese winger could make a surprise return to Glasgow in January.

Jota was only sold to Al-Ittihad for £25m a few months ago but things have quickly gone sour for him in Saudi Arabia.

Clubs are limited to using eight foreign players and Jota has not made the cut, leaving him in limbo ahead of the next transfer window.

A loan switch to Al-Ettifaq could have allowed him to get some game time between now and the New Year but the deal collapsed before Saudi Arabia’s transfer deadline.

There has also been some talk that Jota could have his contract terminated, enabling him to sign for another club ahead of January, but that option has been downplayed by sources in the Middle East.

Where did rumours about Jota’s return to Celtic come from?

Former Hoops forward Frank McAvennie set tongues wagging earlier this week when he said that Jota could move back to the Scottish champions:

“Someone told me Jota is coming back in January. It would be nice to have him back because you know what you are getting with him.”

However, Hendry’s report has reiterated that Celtic currently have no plans to re-sign their former player.

Rodgers is unhappy with his current squad

Even if Jota doesn’t end up moving to Celtic Park, there could still be other signings brought in when the transfer window reopens. When asked last week whether he was content with the club’s summer business, manager Brendan Rodgers replied:

“No. No, I think if you ask any manager they will always be wanting more, of course. But we work with the players that’s here. I’m not saying that in any disrespectful way, I think every manager will tell you they maybe wished they could have done one or two more signings.”

Rodgers’ comments are clearly a message to Celtic’s board that he wants additional backing in January.