Borussia Monchengladbach keen on reported Celtic target Ko Itakura

Celtic are facing increased competition for Ko Itakura as the Man City defender becomes hot property in the summer market. According to a report, Borussia Monchengladbach are now competing with Hoffenheim and Celtic for the signature of the Japanese Internationalist.

According to Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Gladbach are the latest club to be linked with Itakura with Bournemouth, Fulham and Freiburg also battling for his signature. Celtic have been heavily-linked but the journalist doesn’t specifically mention the Scottish Champions.

Itakura impressed with Schalke as they gained promotion from Bundesliga.2 at the first time of asking. However, the North-Rhine side declined to take up the €6m option to buy the defender, claiming it to be too pricey. The 25-year-old is entering his final year with Man City and they will be keen to cash in. The Celtic-City link has been strengthened this summer with the arrival of Mark Lawwell.

Ange Postecoglou had targetted the defender, who can also play defensive midfield, last summer before opting to sign Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers. The USA Internationalist has already signed up until 2026 as the manager strengthens his side. Another defender would be ideal for Celtic, especially as it would provide depth to the backline. It will be interesting to see if Celtic do move for the player, especially given the fees mentioned. You would expect that having paid £6m for CCV, Celtic would look at spreading their transfer budget across the squad as opposed to sinking it into 2/3 big-money signings.