Tottenham and Liverpool in a race to sign Monchengladbach star Ko Itakura
In what could result in a bidding war, Tottenham and Liverpool could possibly engage in one to secure the services of former Manchester City man Ko Itakura, of Borussia Monchengladbach. The 26-year-old Japanese international is currently out on AFC Asian Cup duties.
Itakura is an extremely professional player, who can feature as a centre-back on either side and also slot in at defensive midfield. The transfer of Eric Dier to Bayern Munich and the impending exit of Ben Davies leaves Spurs a bit short of central defence reinforcements.
Moreover, Itakura’s versatility will also give the manager a lot of tactical flexibility as Itakura can play in front of a defensive pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. At the moment, there are three senior centre-backs at the club. Apart from Cuti and Micky, we have Radu Dragusin, who joined us over the January transfer window and made a brief appearance off the bench against Manchester United.
Sky Sports Germany claims the interest of Tottenham in securing the player’s services. Moreover, he is not new on manager Ange Postecoglou’s radar as the Australian tactician wanted Itakura during the gaffer’s time at Celtic as well.
What next for Itakura?
He has been restricted to only eight appearances across all competitions for this club this season due to an ankle injury. Last season as well, he went on to miss 11 games due to an inner knee ligament tear.
However, if he can overcome these setbacks, his potential impact on the defensive line makes him an attractive proposition for clubs seeking solidity at the back.
As the transfer saga unfolds, the bidding war between Tottenham and Liverpool could add another layer of intrigue to the January transfer window. Both clubs recognize the importance of strengthening their defensive options, and Itakura’s availability has ignited a potential duel for his signature.
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The coming weeks will likely reveal the outcome of this race, as negotiations and discussions between the player, his current club, and interested parties intensify. For now, the spotlight remains on Ko Itakura, a player whose versatility and defensive prowess could significantly impact the fortunes of either Tottenham or Liverpool in their respective campaigns.
