Celtic now 'back in frame' for 11-cap target at Parkhead

Celtic are back in the frame to sign defender Ko Itakura this summer, says Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph.

According to Joseph, the Scottish Premiership champions wanted to recruit the 25-year-old last year and will try again in this transfer window.

German outlet Kicker (via the Daily Record) recently reported that Hoffenheim are ready to make a move for Itakura after the Manchester City player’s loan spell at Schalke last season.

The Japanese centre-back, who is out of contract next year, is thought to have plenty of options and is said to be weighing them up.

In the 2021/22 campaign, Itakura made 31 appearances in the German second division and scored four goals, helping Schalke to win promotion back to the Bundesliga.

And it seems his performances did not go unnoticed given the interest from Hoffenheim, who will be looking to build on their ninth-placed finish.

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Joseph has told GIVEMESPORT that Celtic have been following Itakura for a while and could try to sign him on loan with an option to buy this summer.

Speaking to GMS, the Sky Sports journalist said: “Itakura is someone they’ve been tracking for quite some time and they wanted him in last season, actually, but he chose to go on loan to Schalke, and Celtic are back in the frame for him because Schalke weren’t able to pay the €6m option to buy. Celtic might look to do a loan with an option to buy there.”

Celtic have managed to bring Cameron Carter-Vickers to Parkhead permanently, but it looks like manager Ange Postecoglou wants another centre-half, and Itakura does not appear to be a bad option to consider following that successful spell with Schalke.

The 11-cap Japan international can