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Fabrizio Romano claims Spurs are now ‘monitoring’ former Manchester City defender

Originally posted on the Boy Hotspur | By Mehdi Gokal | Last updated 1/2/24

Tottenham Hotspur have shortlisted multiple defenders for a potential transfer swoop.
One such name among the targets is Japanese center-back Ko Itakura.

Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported this recent development. According to him, Tottenham are among the top clubs closely ‘monitoring’ the defender and have sent scouts to track his performance.

He is someone not new to Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who wanted him at Celtic as well.

He shared the update on X:

Understand Liverpool have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances.

Tottenham also monitored him as Ange Postecoglou wanted Ko at Celtic.

Release clause NOT valid in January.

Ko Itakura, one to watch in 2024 as top clubs are monitoring Japanese CB.

Understand Liverpool have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances.

Tottenham also monitored him as Ange Postecoglou wanted Ko at Celtic.

Release clause NOT valid in January. pic.twitter.com/E6Ce08dAd4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 1, 2024

In 2021, current Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou also expressed interest in having the player at Celtic, but the transfer did not come to fruition.

The 26-year-old defender plays for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. He has a contract with the German club until June 2026.

Ko Itakura was signed by Manchester City in 2019 but never played a game for them. He was immediately loaned out for a season and a half to Dutch club Groningen. In 2021, he was loaned to German side Schalke, helping them win promotion to Bundesliga. In 2022, he joined Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach on a permanent deal.

The Japanese international has made 7 league appearances for the German club this season, and has scored 2 goals.

However, a cause for concern with the defender is his injury record. He has been out of action for the past 2 months due to an ankle injury, resulting in his absence from 11 games for the club.

TBH Says:

While Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are expected to be the preferred duo when available, they still need to sign more defenders to add depth to their squad.

Spurs are also very strongly linked with a move for Romanian centre-back Radu Dragusin and his signing is said to be imminent.

Meanwhile, Itakura would be a great addition to the squad. potential signing not only fortifies the squad but also strategically taps into the Japanese fanbase, presenting a financial opportunity for Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy.

This article first appeared on the Boy Hotspur and was syndicated with permission.

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