Celtic target Ko Itakura has admitted it is his dream to play for a world famous club that will help him raise his profile.
Manchester City’s Japanese international 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.
Both deals have been sounded out as what it would take financially, although City are looking for a hefty loan fee for Ikatura.
Celtic are amongst a number of top European clubs who are keen to take him after his recent loan success at Groningen.
Ikatura, who is currently at the Olympics, speaking to Word Groter, said: "It (the Olympics) is something you only experience once in a lifetime, and in Tokyo as well. Everyone is very excited.
"Groningen is the place where I was able to put myself on the map, where I learned to communicate in a foreign language.
"Everything here I did for the first time, and at the next club it will no longer be the first time. I have grown as a person and as a footballer.
"My dream is that one day I will play for a world famous club so that everyone knows who Ko Itakura is.
"But I think that after my career I will always want to come back to FC Groningen. That says it all."
Postecoglou has already signed Swedish international Carl Starfelt from Rubin Kazan but is still keen to add another central defender and right-back to his back line.
Tottenham’s Carter-Vickers spent last season on-loan at Bournemouth and is also attracting interest from Newcastle United.
The 23-year-old is known to be keen on a move to Celtic.
Celtic are keen on George Baldock but it will take a major fight and some financial muscle to get him out of Sheffield United.
Derby County’s Nathan Byrne is another who has been flagged up but is still waiting for Postecoglou’s approval, although Baldock is the preferred option.
Australian international Aaron Mooy is another Postecoglou is keen on but that could also be challenging financially.
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