Schalke 04 won’t be taking up their option to sign Ko Itakura for £6m.
The Japanese international defender returns to Manchester City with a move away from the Etihad far more likely than breaking through into Pep Guardiola’ first team.
Itakura joined Manchester City in January 2019 but similar to Cameron Carter-Vickers at Spurs has spent most of his time out on loan at other clubs.
Carter-Vickers is wanted on a permanent basis by Celtic but whether it is as a Plan B or to force Spurs’ hand in negotiations Itakura seems like a viable alternative.
Last week in a round up of Celtic’s transfer options Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports reported:
Itakura, who Celtic looked at last summer, has been in Germany with Schalke this season. The German club have an option to buy the Japan international, but it is understood they are struggling to pay the agreed £6m fee.
The Scottish champions are monitoring the situations of both players, but, at this stage, no contact has been made.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis was the other player referred to in that report.
Ange Postecoglou is looking to have most of his transfer business concluded ahead of Celtic’s pre-season training trip to Austria which would suggest that June will be a busy month.
With Celtic’s links to Manchester City and Japan it is easy to see why Itakura is being linked with Celtic but until a final decision is taken on Carter-Vickers it is unlikely that any other defender moves will be advanced.
Official | Schalke have decided against activating their option to buy for Manchester City defender Ko Itakura (25) despite an impressive season. https://t.co/Bm2ku1R3T3
— Get German Football News (@GGFN_) May 31, 2022