Celtic have made shock Ko Itakura transfer decision

Celtic have been very busy in the summer transfer window. The club have already signed Daizen Maeda, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Benjamin Siegrist, Alexandro Bernabei and Jota on permanent deals, and they have been linked with a number of other players as well. On the other hand, there are some who could be headed in the opposite direction. One such player is Christopher Jullien.

It had looked like a potential move to Schalke had fallen through for Jullien, after the player and the club had failed to come to an agreement on terms, but recent rumours have suggested that discussions are still open and it is not completely off the table yet.

If Jullien was to leave, one would expect Celtic to go after another centre-back and one player that they have been linked with for a long time is Manchester City’s Ko Itakura.

Even last summer, he was linked with a move to Parkhead, but the Japanese international star ended up joining Schalke instead and helped the club gain promotion to the Bundesliga. Due to the financial situation though, the German club were not able to keep him. On the other hand, it is believed that Manchester City are ready to let him leave this summer. But as reported by Football Scotland, Celtic have turned their attention elsewhere and are not considering a move for Itakura.

Celtic have made shock Itakura transfer decision

Itakura was very impressive during his time at Schalke in the second division of German football and he has done very well for the Japan national team in recent times as well. He is believed to be rated at a transfer fee around £6 million.

It is hard to see Celtic making any more big moves this summer after shelling out significant transfer fees to sign Jota, Carter-Vickers, Bernabei and Maeda.

If Jullien was to leave, the club would be in need of another centre-back. But his departure is not certain, especially due to his injury history. Also, defensive midfield seems like an area in more urgent need of reinforcements than central defence at this point of time.