Former Man City star ‘set for shock Premier League return’ to rivals after starring in Bundesliga

KO ITAKURA is reportedly set for a Premier League return with Liverpool and Tottenham reportedly interested in the Borussia Monchengladbach star.

The former Manchester City centre-back has caught the attention of the Premier League again after his impressive spell in the Bundesliga.

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Liverpool and Tottenham are interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach’s Ko Itakura[/caption]

Itakura joined Monchengladbach during the summer of 2022 after assisting his former side Schalke with a Bundesliga promotion for £4million.

The Japanese star has since made 34 appearances for the club.

And in August last year, the 26-year-old won the club’s Player of the Month award.

But according to reporter Fabrizio Romano Itakura is “one to watch in 2024 as top clubs are monitoring Japanese CB.”

The transfer guru added that Liverpool “have sent their scouts multiple times to follow Itakura’s performances”.

And Ange Postecoglou is “monitoring” the defender who he had been eyeing up while managing at his former club Celtic.

The ex-City star, who never played for Pep Guardiola‘s side, is still tied to the German club until mid-2026.

And Romano confirmed his “release clause is NOT valid in January.”

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Itakura is currently rated for £13million according to Transfermarkt.

In January 2019, he joined City but was immediately loaned to Eredivisie club Groningen until the summer of 2021 before heading to then tier two side Schalke.

The 21-cap Japan international can play both in centre-back and defensive midfielder positions which could suit Jurgen Klopp as Joel Matip and Stefan Bajcetic are out with injuries.

Postecoglou’s side need defensive reinforcement after losing Cristian Romero to a hamstring injury on Christmas Eve to add to Spurs’ injury crisis.