Celtic are 'monitoring' Manchester City pair Ko Itakura and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, according to reliable journalist Anthony Joseph.

The Lowdown: Busy summer for Ange

The Hoops have completed a triumphant 2021/22 season, having won both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup, with transfers now taking centre stage.

Ange Postecoglou will be eyeing up a host of names who he believes will make his squad more formidable, with a return to the Champions League on the horizon.

While established players need to come and enhance the options at Postecoglou's disposal, it is also important that emerging talent is added.

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The Latest: Ange ready to strike

According to Joseph on Twitter, Celtic and Ange are keen on signing City pair Itakura and Harwood-Bellis this summer:

"Celtic are monitoring Manchester City duo Ko Itakura and Taylor Harwood-Bellis."

Itakura has spent the season on loan at Schalke, and is 25 years of age, while youngster Harwood-Bellis (20) has been at Stoke City on a temporary basis.

The Verdict: Planning for the future

Whether or not these would be permanent moves remains to be seen, but signing both players could prove to be shrewd business by Postecoglou.

Ikatura made 30 starts in the Bundesliga II in 2021/22, shining at centre-back, while fellow central defender Harwood-Bellis enjoyed 22 Championship starts for Stoke, averaging three aerial duel wins per game.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt set to be first-choice next season, if the former signs permanently, these two could be strong backup options.

In other news, Joseph has also dropped a Celtic transfer claim. Read more here.