KO ITAKURA is reportedly set for a Premier League return with Liverpool and Tottenham reportedly interested in the Borussia Monchengladbach star.
The former Manchester City centre-back has caught the attention of the Premier League again after his impressive spell in the Bundesliga.
Itakura joined Monchengladbach for £4million during the summer of 2022 after helping former side Schalke get promoted to the Bundesliga.
The Japanese star has since made 34 appearances for Monchengladbach.
And in August last year, the 26-year-old won the club’s Player of the Month award.
But according to reporter Fabrizio Romano Itakura is “one to watch in 2024 as top clubs are monitoring Japanese CB.”
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The transfer guru added that Liverpool “have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances”.
And Ange Postecoglou is “monitoring” the defender who he also eyed up while managing at his former club Celtic.
The ex-City star, who never played for Pep Guardiola’s side, is still tied to the German club until 2026.
And Romano confirmed his “release clause is NOT valid in January.”
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Itakura is currently valued at £13million according to Transfermarkt.
In January 2019, he joined City but was immediately loaned to Eredivisie club Groningen until the summer of 2021 before heading to then tier two side Schalke.
The 21-cap Japan international can play both in centre-back and defensive midfielder positions which could suit Jurgen Klopp as Joel Matip and Stefan Bajcetic are out with injuries.
Postecoglou’s side need defensive reinforcement after losing Cristian Romero to a hamstring injury on Christmas Eve to add to Spurs’ injury crisis.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
