It is good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it's good too, to check up once in a while and make sure you haven't lost the things money can't buy.

The words of American journalist and author George Horace Lorimer.

They stuck a chord with yours truly as momentum gathers pace in relation to former star Jota going out on loan in January.

The Portuguese winger has endured a nightmare stay in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad after his £25 million summer move from Glasgow.

The 24-year-old has hardly featured for his club since, admittedly partly down to league statutes in the country. Saudi Pro League rules state that clubs can only have eight foreign players in their squad and ultimately Jota didn’t make the cut with the likes of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante also joining the club.

Al-Ittihad are currently undergoing a management change with axed Nuno Espirito Santo set to be replaced by Marcelo Gallardo.

That's not Jota's fault of course.

He isn't the first player and he certainly won't be the last to discover that the grass isn't always greener after a move. The smell of filthy lucre is all well and good but there is no use accumulating wealth if you are miserable in both your professional and private life. According to reports Jota is not enjoying either of his professional or private life.

READ MORE: Ex-Celtic ace Jota linked with dramatic return to Parkhead

It is all a stark contrast to his days in Paradise. In Glasgow's east end Jota was feted as a hero. Somebody who could do no wrong. He embraced the Celtic culture. He took the club to his heart after a loan spell. In his own words - "I fell in love.” It was a phrase he uttered when he signed a permanent deal on July 1, 2022.

Now Jota could be on the move again.

The English Premier League and Eddie Howe's Newcastle United has been suggested as his next port of call. Likewise there are the constant rumours linking him to a reunification with his former manager Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur.

A return to Glasgow for the prodigal son has also been mooted. Depending on what media sources you believe, the player himself has allegedly instructed his agents to see if a return to Celtic is still a viable option on the table.

All things being equal would the Celtic supporters welcome Jota back with open arms?

A lot of the green and white faithful would possibly prefer if Brendan Rodgers brought in a new goalkeeper, a left-back, a dominating midfielder or even a striker in the January transfer window.

However, this deal seems too good to be true - doesn't it?

If terms can be agreed between the club and the player for a six month loan spell with a possible option to buy again then it is the ultimate no brainer for Celtic... and Jota. For all parties, this is an easy win if all criteria for a deal can be met.

Jota is quality. Rodgers wants quality. It would smack of ambition and it would all but certainly seal the deal on Celtic retaining the title for a third successive season and going straight into the newly revamped Champions League next season where the club could play eight or 10 games. It is a win-win for every party concerned.

Forget the fact that Jota is on £200,000 a week. He wouldn't even be on £100,000 if he chose to come back to Celtic. Jota knows the financial parameters that his old club exist under.

No, Jota would be coming back to Glasgow for love. Pure and simple.

The Celtic hierarchy have a chance to give their manager and supporters a hearty dose of festive cheer getting it over the line. What a  result that would be.

READ MORE: Luis Palma: Why Celtic have perfect Jota replacement on the wing

Celtic Way:

However, Honduran winger Luis Palma has more than ably fitted the Jota void in his absence and there are those who will say Celtic have moved on. There is lots of merit in that argument.

Can you imagine Palma on the left wing and Jota on the right wing supplying Kyogo Furuhashi?

I can.

That trio  would terrorise the Scottish Premiership and that's not to mention the likes of Matt O'Riley, Callum McGregor, Odin Thiago Holm, Oh Hyeon-Gyu, Daizen Maeda as well as Liel Abada and Reo Hatate who have still to return to the side.

READ MORE: The rise and rise of Matt O'Riley by the coaches who shaped him

Jota contributed 28 goals and 26 assists in his two full seasons at Celtic Park under Postecoglou. Palma has weighed in with five goals and five assists in his 12 game Celtic career so far to date.

You see where I am going here don't you?

Celtic and Rodgers cannot get enough quality players in their team. The Scottish champions have to pursue this deal to the nth degree if an agreement can be thrashed out.

Jota will always be welcome at Celtic Park... always. Celtic, Rodgers, even the much-maligned board and the fan base wouldn't regret it.

Regrets? Jota has had a few. Moving to Saudi Arabia for a start.

After all, in his emotional goodbye in the summer he penned these words: "No words will ever express how grateful I am for this ride. Let me tell you something...what a f***ing ride.

"I was scared, I had doubts and I didn't know what to expect from something that in the end turned out to be one of the most beautiful stories ever. People often ask me what is so special about Celtic and I think there's no straight answer, there's no fair answer for that.

"The answer lies in such a deep feeling, a sense, an emotion. There is this mystical fog flowing around Celtic Park that induces you to this sense of football edge. This football heritage gave us unforgettable moments. And you can't just explain it, you need to feel it, you need to respect it.

"I'm such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and as a person.

"To the fans, and I always say this, you guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that, we were crazy in love. For what matters, I think I have loved you more than them so believe me, I'll love you for life.

"I have recently learned that happiness is not found at the finishing line, it lies in the path. It definitely lies in the path."

Jota chose the wrong career path, that much is obvious. Temporarily at least. As George Horace Lorimer would testify, Jota simply "lost the things money can't buy."

Everyone wants love and happiness. Jota could rediscover both with one solitary act. Sealing a January move back to Paradise. Stranger things have happened.

A return to Glasgow's east end. It worked for Rodgers. Jota guarantees entertainment. He also provides goals and assists.

Anyone at Celtic want to go on 'another f**king ride?'