Manchester City News have now been told that Ko Itakura – who Manchester City sold in 2022 – is set for a significant move.
Many exciting players have struggled to make it at Manchester City – where competition for places is often fierce.
Pep Guardiola has previously waved the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers away from the Etihad Stadium – as well as Romeo Lavia – all of whom are top talents.
The same happened to Ko Itakura back in 2022 – although the Japan international is now in line for a major transfer as Chelsea close in on the signing of Jorrel Hato.
Ajax in talks to replace Jorrel Hato with Ko Itakura
Graeme Bailey has now informed Manchester City News that Ajax want the 28-year-old to replace the Netherlands international, and he is keen on a move to Amsterdam after talks were opened.
We understand Chelsea have successfully managed to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to the signing of Hato, which means Ajax need to plug a gap in their defence.
Itakura – who Liverpool looked at in January 2024 – is the preferred option for that role, having blossomed since leaving Manchester City in 2022.
The Citizens signed the defender from Kawasaki Frontale back in January 2019 for a sum in the region of £1m, but Guardiola never handed him a senior appearance as loans to Groningen and Schalke followed.
Itakura was later sold to Borussia Monchengladbach for £5m in July 2022, and has done well enough with the German outfit to now be deemed worthy of replacing an elite talent in Hato.
What Ko Itakura said after leaving Manchester City
Itakura never actually mentioned Manchester City upon moving to Borussia Monchengladbach, which is quite telling after he was denied a single appearance.
The man from Yokohama instead paid tribute to Schalke when speaking to Rheinische Post, saying: “Borussia made a lot of effort to find me, and gave me the feeling in the talks right from the start that I was needed. That convinced me.
“I mainly exchanged ideas with other Japanese players from the Bundesliga. They highlighted the club’s great history and the quality of the players.
“It was hard for me to leave Schalke, but now it’s good to have a long-term perspective at a club like Borussia.”
