Manchester City are demanding a huge loan fee for defender Ko Itakura as Celtic plot a potential move to sign him.
That’s according to a report from the Daily Record, who claim that City are seeking a ‘substantial’ loan fee for the Japanese ace.
Celtic are keen to sign Itakura, but there is also believed to be ‘strong interest’ from several European clubs after Itakura impressed last season.
The 24-year-old spent the campaign on loan at Groningen and starred for the Eredivisie side, becoming one of the top centre backs in Dutch football.
Now back with Manchester City, Itakura is unlikely to be involved in Pep Guardiola’s side for the Premier League campaign this coming season.
So now it’s up to Celtic to decide whether the deal is to their liking.
They certainly have great links with City. The likes of Jason Denayer, John Guidetti, Dedryck Boyata, Olivier Ntcham, Patrick Roberts, Daniel Arzani and Jeremie Frimpong have all joined Celtic from City in recent memory.
Celtic may also be able to offer European action to Itakura, which is surely appealing to the defender as he looks to prove that he can make the grade at City moving forward.
With Celtic’s links to City and Ange Postecoglou’s knowledge of the Japanese market, Itakura makes so much sense for the Bhoys.
Branded ‘incredibly fast’ by Dutch analysts Hans Kraay Jr, Itakura could well be worth the money for Celtic, even if they can’t keep him long term.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
