Jota, who made 9 appearances and scored 1 goal in Ligue 1 this season, is reportedly on the way out in January as part of Rennes' plan to offload certain players.

Jota has been axed from Rennes' squad for their match against Marseille and is facing difficulties since leaving Celtic. Previously transferred to Al-Ittihad for £25 million, he is now on the brink of searching for a new club.

Jota is experiencing a strained relationship at Rennes, having been reduced to a peripheral role under disciplinarian boss Jorge Sampaoli. He has not played since December 15 and was an unused substitute in a recent 3-2 defeat to Nice. There are fresh doubts regarding his future at the club, and he appears to be a prime candidate for a loan exit. However, there is no indication of a return to the Scottish Premiership.

The winger, once a fan favorite in Glasgow, has faced a challenging 18 months since departing Parkhead for a £25m move to Al-Ittihad. Now at Rennes, Jota has been cautioned by his straightforward manager, Jorge Sampaoli. Sampaoli expressed that they hope Jota can provide some balance to the team, but noted that he is not yet fully utilizing his capabilities. He emphasized the need for players who can consistently exert effort both offensively and defensively, highlighting the importance of players like Jota who can excel in one-on-one situations. Sampaoli stressed the necessity for Jota to be fit and to understand their playing model to make a significant impact.