Three clubs remain alive in race for Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Ko Itakura

Kicker reports that the current pursuit of Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Ko Itakura is a three-horse-race. Ajax Amsterdam, Feyenoord Rotterdam, and Eintracht Frankfurt are all alive in efforts to sign the Japanese international away from his current Bundesliga club. Kicker emphatically notes that one club out of this trio will win, noting that Itakura’s departure from Gladbach is “only a matter of time.“

Sport Bild goes so far as to suggest that Ajax have already won the race. Per the German tabloid, Gladbach will receive a base-transfer-fee of €8m for Itakura. A bonus package could see upwards of €10m flow into the BMG coffers. Kicker lists Ajax as the “favorite“, but notes that Feyenoord and Frankfurt still have time. Ajax must finalize the sale of defensive talent Jorrel Hato to Chelsea first.

Itakura likely favors the Dutch record champions as Feyenoord do not offer him the chance to play Champions League football this season. Eintracht’s interest should nevertheless be taken seriously into account. The Hessians very much wanted to sign the Gladbach professional this summer and can do so much more cheaply now that Itakura’s release clause has expired.

Eintracht get set to lose two defenders in the coming days. Aurelio Buta’s imminent transfer to Panathinaikos doesn’t count as a loss as the RheinMainAdler weren’t planning with him ahead of the new season anyway. The fact that – as feared – defensive mainstay Lucas Silva “Tuta” Melo will be seeking to continue his career elsewhere does shift the SGE calculus.

Sport Bild reports that Tuta will soon be completing a €15m transfer to Qatari outfit Doha club Al-Duhail SC. The 26-year-old Brazilian defensive specialist has departed Eintracht’s USA-based training camp and traveled to the Arabian Peninsula to complete the move. As soon as he does, the SGE will have more money to throw at Itakura. 

GGFN | Peter Weis