Jota, a former Celtic star, is coming to terms with the reality that he won’t play football again until January after a possible Saudi escape route was blocked in his path.

Since leaving Parkhead for the lucrative £25 million move to Saudi champions Al-Ittihad, the 24-year-old has had a miserable summer. The former Benfica player was initially greeted with smiles and promises, but in the Middle East, he has been cast aside and won’t be one of the champion Saudi Pro League team’s registered foreign players. It now seems like he won’t be playing anyplace else until after Christmas, if that blow wasn’t enough.

Fener, who apparently observed Jota on a number of occasions during his time with Celtic, is said to have been interested, according to many reports. However, two factors have reduced Jota to the status of a transfer non-starter before the window closes later this week. First off, because Jota’s signing would occur after the deadline, he would be unable to participate in the Europa Conference League.

The second looks to be based on football, as head coach Ismail Kartail would rather keep Josh King, a former forward for Bournemouth and Everton, than sign Jota.

Turkey looking to be out, the next three months are going to be harsh for a player who has talked extensively about how his two years in Glasgow gave him a confidence boost after suffering at Benfica and failing to shine at Valladolid.