Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is considering a move for Manchester City ’s Ko Itakura.
The Japan international has had a successful loan spell at Dutch side Groningen over the last 18 months.
The 24-year-old is high on a list of targets on which the the new Celtic boss is currently working.
Postecoglou is also well aware of Itakura from his own time at Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos, who are part of the City Football Group.
Postecoglou is already closing in on a deal for Hajduk Split defender Mario Vuskovic but is still looking to add to his backline options.
Itakura, who has five Japanese caps, can also play as a holding midfielder.
City signed him from J1 League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2019 before they sent him to Holland.
A possible return for Erik Sviatchenko from Midtjylland, who Celtic face in the Champions League, is also being looked at.
Celtic have also been linked with Ecuadorian international Piero Hincapie but reports in Italy claim he is close to a move to Lazio.
Postecoglou is looking at a string of options as he looks to strengthen his squad in various areas before the Champions League qualifiers.
Brighton keeper Tim Ryan, who was at Arsenal on-loan, remains a live option while as Record Sport revealed yesterday, Sheffield United’s George Baldock remains amongst the top targets to fill the problem right-back area.
Experienced Australian international midfielder Aaron Mooy, who is at Shanghai Port, is another who is being looked at, along with Bologna left-back Aaron Hickey.
