Celtic and Freiburg add to transfer interest in Man City defender

Manchester City defender Ko Itakura has attracted fresh interest from multiple clubs as he looks to sort his future for next season.

The Japanese centre-back, 25, signed for City in 2019 but has not played a game under Pep Guardiola and has been told that he will not be part of the squad at the Etihad for next year. After spending two years in the Dutch top flight with FC Groningen, he earned impressive reviews this year with Schalke as the German club won their way back up to the Bundesliga.

Itakura has spoken warmly of his time in Germany and Schalke do have the option to buy the defender in a £6m deal. However, clubs including Celtic and Freiburg have been alerted to the news that Schalke may not be able to stump up the fee.

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City enjoy a good relationship with Schalke — the club they signed Leroy Sane from in 2016 — and there is still the possibility that Itakura moves there on a permanent deal. But interest from other clubs has reminded the Blues that there are several possibly buyers willing to spend at least £6m that could take advantage of Schalke's delay or outbid them.

Itakura is one of a number of players that City are looking to make a profit on as part of their dealings in the summer transfer window. Yangel Herrera is also expected to bring in a considerable fee after another solid year out on loan in La Liga, while the club are also aware of considerable interested in promising England Under-21 defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

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