Celtic want Ko Itakura but now face a battle with Fulham and Bournemouth for the Manchester City defender’s signature.
Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title last season and are looking forward to a bright future under Ange Postecoglou.
Yet the Bhoys do need to improve in Europe – especially having watched Rangers go all the way to the Europa League final.
That means reinforcements will be needed and Postecoglou could once again use his knowledge of the Japanese market.
Celtic want Ko Itakura
Postecoglou oversaw a real Japanese influx with Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi all arriving.
Yet there was another Japanese player Celtic wanted and they couldn’t quite land him.
Celtic were keen on defender Itakura last summer but he went to Schalke instead, with the German club claiming that Celtic were ‘desperate’ to land him.
Itakura has help Schalke win promotion but they are still struggling to pay up just £5million to sign him permanently.
That means Itakura could head elsewhere and the Manchester Evening News claim that Celtic are back in the race.
The problem for Celtic now is that other clubs are joining the race for Itakura.
Sky Sports report that Fulham and Bournemouth – both recently promoted to the Premier League – are looking to sign Itakura.
Add in interest from Hoffenheim and Freiburg and Celtic’s push for Itakura looks very difficult.
Postecoglou’s links to the City Football Group may help Celtic, having spent time as Yokohama F. Marinos boss under the CFG umbrella.
The 25-year-old centre back is quick, reads the game well and isn’t afraid in the tackle. Add in a decent goalscoring ability as a centre back and you can see why Celtic fancy Itakura.
Beating Fulham and Bournemouth really won’t be easy given their riches upon reaching the Premier League, but Celtic will hope to lure him with the prospect of joining his compatriots at Parkhead.
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