If Celtic still hold an interest in Manchester City’s ball playing centre back Ko Itakura, then it may well be Celtic will be able to make their move after today.

Itakura has been on loan with Schalke for the last 12 months, but prior to signing on with the German side’s ultimately successful attempts to gain promotion back to the Bundesliga, after their 20/21 relegation, Itakura was said to have been a player of interest for Ange Postecoglou.

That it didn’t happen may have been down to a lack of interest, but just as likely is the possibility Schalke’s recruitment process wasn’t quite as – shall we say hectic – as Celtic’s process was last year.

Itakura who is 25, did have an option to buy included in the loan agreement with Schalke, but it appears the German side have an obligation to buy on a further three loan deals from last season that now must take priority from this summer’s transfer budget, and the German side are now not in a position to afford to buy Itakura.

Indeed, the last day for that option to buy expires today, and unless an extension has been negotiated with City, it appears Celtic could now make their move if the so wish.

Itakura’s loan to buy fee is reported as having been set at 6m Euros, and even if Celtic don’t have that figure set in stone, it’s a reasonable assumption that a bid in that region would satisfy Manchester City.

If Celtic are interested in Itakura, they will however face competition from down south and Germany, with newly promoted EPL sides Bournemouth and Fulham credited with an interest in Itakura as well as Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.

A ball playing central defender certainly seems an area of the team Celtic intend to address, and Itakura being both left footed and a player comfortable playing in both midfield and in defence may well be someone who would fit the bill.

However, with expected outlays of around £6m expected to be shelled out for both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota, it remains to be seen if certain out of favour players – earning big wages for little contribution – such as Vasilis Barkas, Boli Bolingoli and Albian Ajeti, would have to be moved on before a hefty outlay on the likes of Itakura could be considered.

Getting Christopher Jullien off the wage bill and perhaps with a few million coming on from his transfer, would certainly free up funds too with Itakura a one in one out replacement providing Ange Postecoglou with a player he has had a long standing interest in signing.

Niall J

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