Celtic have been handed a timely boost in their reported potential pursuit of Manchester City defender Ko Itakura.
Recently, the Glasgow giants were credited with an interest in the Japan international, although it was believed they faced a battle with Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt for the capture.
At the time of the initial links however, Ikatura was on loan at 2.Bundesliga outfit Schalke, with the German club possessing an option to make the move permanent for €6million (£5.1million).
Now, it seems that the 25-year-old versatile centre-back could be up for grabs this summer…
Coming after Anthony Joseph revealed Ange Postecoglou’s renewed interest, Schalke have now confirmed on Twitter that they ‘will not activate’ the option to sign the eight-times capped ace wanted by the Bhoys.
The Tweet explained: “Difficult decision: The #S04 will not activate the purchase option for Ko Itakura.”
Unlikely to make the grade back with Premier League champions Man City, Ikatura could be available at a cut-price fee for either Frankfurt or Celtic after missing out on the expected move to Germany.
During the 2021/22 campaign, the £3.15million valued man scored four times in 32 German second-tier outings whilst operating primarily as a central defender.
Also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, the Japanese star, who was praised for his ‘calm’ nature by manager Dimitrios Grammozis, would be a superb addition to Postecoglou’s ranks at Celtic Park.
Having already shown a keen eye for signing elite Japanese talent with the additions of Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi, Postecoglou should be doing everything in his power to make this deal become a reality.
