Celtic's bid to land Ko Itakura has been handed a boost after his Olympics dream ended without a medal in the third-place showdown.
Record Sport first revealed the interest in the Manchester City defender back in June but they have faced a lengthy waiting game for a deal while Itakura targeted a medal.
The defender put all thoughts of his future on hold after playing his part in Japan’s charge to the semi-final stage.
The bid to claim gold was brought to a halt by Spain in a heartbreaking extra-time defeat, but had a second chance at a medal in the bronze play-off against Mexico.
However, the 24-year-old will return to the English Premier League side empty-handed after a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Top European clubs who are keen to take him after his recent loan success at during a two-year stint with Groningen.
It is understood City may demand a hefty loan fee from Celtic if they are to allow the centre-back to leave the club.
The City defender is amongst a number of centre-half loans that Ange Postecoglou is keen on, as is Tottenham Hotspur’s American central defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Carl Starfelt has been the only addition to the Celtic backline at Parkhead with Nir Bitton deputising in the heart of the defence.
