Tottenham Hotspur have been offered the chance to sign former Manchester City defender Ko Itakura, according to reports.
The Lilywhites have endured a chronic injury crisis this season and even now, remain without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie from their backline — as well as starting goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Tottenham handed the opportunity to bring 18-cap international back to England
That has left Ange Postecoglou desperately short of options, with youngster Archie Gray having to deputise as a centre-back.
Spurs have already made a move to strengthen at goalkeeper with the signing of Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague.
But Postecoglou also confirmed prior to January that the club are ‘working hard’ on arrivals in other positions as well.
One of those arrivals might turn out to be Itakura.
According to Spurs insider Paul O Keefe, the club have been ‘offered’ the Japanese defender, although he remains a ‘back-up option’ in case moves for Patrick Dorgu and Abdukodir Khusanov don’t come to fruition.
Who is Ko Itakura?
A 35-time Japan international, Itakura currently plies his trade with Bundesliga giants Borussia Monchengladbach, who he joined from Man City in 2022.
The right-footed centre-back — who can also cover as a defensive midfielder — never made a senior appearance for City, instead spending time on loan with the likes of FC Groningen in the Netherlands and FC Schalke in Germany.
But since joining Gladbach, Itakura has become a regular, playing 64 times across all competitions so far, scoring five goals and providing three assists. This season alone, he’s played 15 Bundesliga matches and has played 100% of Gladbach’s league minutes.
The 27-year-old has just 18 months left on his contract according to Transfermarkt and isn’t believed to have an option year, so could be available on a cut-price deal in the next couple of transfer windows.
