JOTA’s long-term future has been a perennial news source since January.

The on-loan Benfica winger was never likely to make up his mind quickly on what comes next for him in his career. That he won the hearts of the Celtic fans was apparent fairly early on in his Hoops chapter but there has always been a lingering doubt that he could still break them before putting pen to paper on a permanent move.

With a fee agreed between the clubs, the personal terms appear to be what is currently holding the deal up. To be fair, contract negotiations are never as crisply cut and dried on the inside as how they appear on the outside.

Celtic, though, will be unwilling to allow talks to drag too long. With the spine of the team still off on international duty with their respective countries before a brief break ahead of the pre-season camp in Austria, Ange Postecoglou will want to know what he needs as soon as possible in terms of squad arrivals.

The Greek-Australian joked over the weekend that his biggest decision just now is whether to go to the pool or the beach as he enjoyed some downtime on holiday but he will appreciate that he is in the enviable position of not having to fret quietly about the heat that the Champions League qualifiers so often brings Celtic managers at this time of year.

But while there is no ambiguity that way, he will want as clear an indication as possible about the squad he is working with. Certain aspects of that will play out over the summer but where Celtic have been guilty in the past of waiting it out until the final days of the window before scrambling to get players in, next season’s guaranteed Champions League participation should create an environment ripe to avoid that.

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Not that there would be any sense in violating their own wage structure. This year could well be a deviation from normal practice but what it should be expected to do is allow for a little wiggle room that would not always be there at this time of the year.

Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers both played key roles as Celtic won the title and the League Cup with the American international one of the most consistent performers for Postecoglou’s side as he lent a solidity to what had previously been a porous backline.

Jota’s creativity was every bit as significant an asset. Keeping both players would be a statement of intent from the club although the financial reality will always be that they can attract significant salaries south of the border.

This is where the Parkhead side will be optimistic that the carrot of Champions League football continues to hold some sway as both players consider the opportunities that participation in Europe’s premier tournament can bring.

Yet of as much importance as who heads into Celtic over the next few weeks will be who heads out.

It is difficult on a personal level not to feel sympathy for Vasilis Barkas and the position he was in but, given the hefty salary he is on, Celtic may well feel that it makes sense to cut their losses on the keeper and allow him to head out of the club. 

Utrecht have only taken the 28-year-old on loan for now but enabling him to go and rebuild his career somewhat following a wretched two-year stint at Celtic is a mercy - to both him and the club.