Celtic have strengthened their defence with the signing of Osaze Urhoghide from Sheffield Wednesday and Carl Starfelt from Rubin Kazan, but Ryan Taylor of the Daily Express say they’re after another – Ko Itakura.
The 24-year-old has no future at Manchester City as he’s behind John Stones, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake in the pecking order, so Celtic are trying to capitalise on the situation.
Itakura joined the Sky Blues from Kawasaki Frontale in January 2019 and was immediately loaned out to FC Groningen (January 2019 – June 2020) (July 2020 – June 2021) where he’s spent the last 18 months.
The Express note how the Japanese international impressed in the Eredivisie last season and is representing Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but it’s not improved his chances of playing for City.
Celtic are hoping to take advantage of Itakura’s situation as they need a replacement for Kristoffer Ajer who joined Brentford this summer. The Bhoys also lost the Premiership title race to Rangers, so Ange Postecoglou is desperate to tighten up at the back to ensure a repeat doesn’t happen.
In other news, why Man City need not worry about Chelsea in their pursuit of £100m player