Ko Itakura was one of the most important players at FC Schalke 04 last season and was a guarantee for promotion to the top German football league. But the central defender will not stay in Gelsenkirchen for financial reasons. Several Bundesliga clubs should now try to get the Japanese – including Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
FC Schalke 04 has decided not to exercise the purchase option for Ko Itakura.
“In terms of sport, there are no two opinions: Ko was one of the outstanding players last season,” S04 sports director Rouven Schröder was quoted as saying in a club statement: “We would have liked to see him as part of our Bundesliga team, but that was for financial reasons Unfortunately not possible.”
According to media reports, the 25-year-old, who was loaned out by Manchester City, would have cost between five and six million euros.
Gladbach should hope for a transfer
Itakura is unlikely to have a future in the English champions’ star ensemble. Consequently, the Japanese should be back on the market in the summer. Several clubs from the Bundesliga are said to be lining up.
According to “Sponichi”, Borussia Mönchengladbach, among others, is trying to attract the defensive specialist. Accordingly, there was already contact between the foals and Itakura.
Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim are probably also interested
“sports1“Now follows up and reports that Manchester City is ready to talk. The Skyblues are therefore demanding a transfer fee of six million euros. Gladbach wants to “bag the deal as quickly as possible,” they say.
But Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG Hoffenheim should also be interested in Schalke’s promotion hero. So Itakura seems spoiled for choice. A decision is likely to be made in the coming weeks.