Celtic will be able to make any potential move for Ko Itakura after May 31st due to Schalke’s loan agreement with Manchester City, German outlet WAZ reports.
The Japanese defender is said to be interesting Celtic with the Hoops reportedly monitoring the situation [Sky Sports]. It comes with Schalke struggling to pay the £6m option-to-buy fee in the player’s contract.
It’s still claimed by Manchester Evening News that the player could end up with the newly-promoted Bundesliga side permanently. This is helped by the fact City and Schalke share a positive relationship.
However, Schalke only have 6 days to conjure up the funds from somewhere. They have until May 31st to match the option-to-buy fee and ensure Itakura remains in Germany [WAZ].
If they fail to do so, it would be safe to assume that they’re out of the picture to sign him this summer. The reason being that they’ll have allowed other clubs to come in and make an offer.
Manchester Evening News also believes that Freiburg have taken an interest in the player too.
Celtic watch on as Ko Itakura to Schalke saga could be over soon
Celtic will no doubt be keeping a close eye on this one. Itakura was linked with a move to Parkhead last summer before he moved to Schalke on a season-long loan deal [Daily Record].
But the German club are certainly cutting it fine. You feel that if they were going to match the fee required for the centre-back then they would’ve done so by now.
After all, Itakura was crucial for them during the 2021/22 campaign. He made 32 appearances, featuring in every game possible for the club without injury [Transfermarkt].
Should Itakura become available, it remains to be seen who else would be interested in the player. He stated last summer that he wanted to make a move to a “world famous” football club [FC Groningen]. He may very well have the chance to do so if Celtic provide him with an offer.
Ange Postecoglou is still looking for a new centre-back before the new season even if Cameron Carter-Vickers signs up [The Athletic]. Itakura certainly has the pedigree to be an option.
It’s a case of watch this space for now, but Schalke don’t have long to get their deal done.
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