Sky Sports Germany have revealed that Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are both circling around Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Ko Itakura, with a release clause in the defender’s contract set to become active at the end of the current season.
Itakura has impressed since his switch to Gladbach 18 months ago but the 26-year-old had had a stop-start 2023-24 season owing to injuries.
He is currently at the Asian Cup with Japan, having played all 90 minutes in the Blue Samurai’s 4-2 win over Vietnam in their group-stage opener.
Tottenham and Liverpool keen on Ko Itakura
Sky Germany have now revealed that Ange Postecoglou is a fan of Itakura, having previously tried to take him to Celtic, and the Australian is now keen on bringing the player to North London.
However, Spurs might not have a free run at the centre-back, who is also thought to be on Jurgen Klopp’s wishlist at Liverpool.
Interestingly, the publication reveals that there is a release clause thought to be around €10m-€15m (£8.5m-£12.8m) in Itakura’s contract, which can be activated next summer.
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Ange would have been aware of Itakura’s talent from his J-League days and given the way the centre-back has developed over the last couple of years, it does not come as a surprise that he wants him at Spurs.
However, with the player away at the Asian Cup at the moment, the 26-year-old might be a more realistic target for next summer rather than the current transfer window.
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