Celtic star Jota could earn more than £10million per year completely tax-free if he seals a shock exit to Saudi.

The winger, 24, emerged as a transfer target for mega-rich Al-Ittihad on Thursday with reports suggesting a deal is close.

Jota - signed from Benfica in the summer for around £6.5m - is a fan favourite at Celtic and there had been little expectation of a departure this summer until the breaking reports.

However, it appears Jota could be on his way out of Celtic and land a life-changing salary in Saudi Arabia should the £20m transfer be agreed.

Celtic would stand to make a profit on Jota after making his loan permanent but it's understood Benfica would be due a sell-on fee if a transfer is finalised.

The Daily Mail report Jota has agreed terms on a salary in excess of £10m per year tax-free. That equates to a weekly wage of more than £192,000.

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Should Jota go ahead with the move, he will become the latest of a host of players to swap European football for the Gulf.

Ex-Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is the current boss of Al-Ittihad.

He is joined by former Hearts No.1 Ian Cathro as his first-team coach, having previously worked together.

Al-Ittihad have already brought in French superstar Karim Benzema from Real Madrid and former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, both of whom will earn eye-watering figures after agreeing lucrative contracts. 

Jota's fellow countrymen Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruben Neves both play in the oil-rich country too, with the State-backed football clubs in Saudi attracting some of the globe's biggest names.