Tottenham and Liverpool have shown keen interest in Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ko Itakura, a defender who previously had a stint with Manchester City. Itakura, at 26, moved to Manchester City from his childhood club Kawasaki Frontale in 2019 but didn’t get the chance to play for the Premier League champs.
Instead, he embarked on loan spells at Groningen and Schalke before landing at Gladbach in 2022. His Bundesliga journey has been impressive, primarily as a center-back but also showcasing versatility in the holding midfield role.
Reports from Fabrizio Romano indicate Liverpool’s scouts have been keeping an eye on the Japanese international, while Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou, who tracked Itakura during his Celtic tenure, remains an admirer.
Itakura’s contract with Gladbach extends till 2026, reportedly lacking any release clause for the January transfer window. While sidelined with an ankle injury since October, he’s part of Japan’s squad for the Asian Cup, aiming for a return to action soon.
Describing Itakura upon his arrival, Gladbach’s sporting director Roland Virkus praised his versatility, stating, “Ko covers an unbelievable amount of ground and is a tactically disciplined player who can operate in different positions in defense, including as a No.6. He had a number of attractive options in terms of a transfer, so we’re all the more delighted that he’s decided to join us because he’s a cornerstone of our planning.”
