Fabrizio Romano shares Al-Ittihad stance on Jota, West Ham United ‘really working’ on deal
Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad are “quite open” to discussing a move for Jota with West Ham, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist added that the deal between the Hammers and the billionaire-owned club is, however, being slowed down by tax issues.
The 24-year-old winger has made 11 appearances in all competitions for Al-Ittihad since joining from Scottish giants Celtic last summer.
“Yeah, I will say that they are really working on the Jota deal,” Romano told GIVEMESPORT (30 January). “The player is open to making the deal happen because he would like to try this opportunity in a different league with West Ham.
“Also, Al-Ittihad are quite open to finding the formula for the deal with West Ham. The point is about salary. It’s about taxes. This is why it’s taking some time to find the best way between all parties involved.”
Time ticking away
Jota only moved to Saudi Arabia from Celtic in the summer, with the attacker earning the lucrative deal following many top displays in Glasgow.
But he has failed to recreate those performances at Al-Ittihad, and could now already be on the move, with West Ham seemingly very interested in his signature.
The tax issue is, however, really putting the deal under stress, with time rapidly running out in the January transfer window, which shuts close on 1 February.
Hammers manager David Moyes would be foolish not to bolster his attack this month, especially given how Jota’s fellow winger Said Benrahma could be on his way out from the London Stadium.
If the Algerian does leave and a replacement is not found, the Hammers run the risk of not having a big and talented enough squad to continue their successful ventures in the Premier League and Europa League this season.
In other West Ham news, Jacob Steinburg has shared a Jota update after a “hitch” emerged for the Hammers.
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