Celtic are unlikely to sign Manchester City centre-back Ko Itakura on loan this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.
The Lowdown: Itakura links
Celtic were linked with a move for Itakura at the end of June, with the Japan international high up on a list of targets.
However, the Hoops had to play the waiting game over any potential temporary transfer, with the 24-year-old representing his country at the Olympic Games.
Itakura, who former Dutch footballer Haans Kray described as ‘incredibly fast’, isn’t in Pep Guardiola’s Etihad plans, but it doesn’t seem as if a move to Glasgow will materialise.
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The Latest: Joseph’s post
Joseph took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to share an update on any possible move for Itakura.
He said that the centre-back is now unlikely to join on loan before the window closes at the end of the month.
“Also, I'm told Manchester City centre-back Ko Itakura is unlikely to move on loan to Celtic in this transfer window. The Hoops were tracking the 24-year-old defender while he was playing for Japan at the Olympics this summer.”
The Verdict: No more centre-back signings?
After bringing in Joe Hart and James McCarthy, Ange Postecoglou still wants to sign a right-back and a winger.
There hasn't been much mention of a new centre-back, so the Hoops may well be done when it comes to that area of the pitch this summer, especially following Joseph’s claim on Itakura.
It remains to be seen if it was Celtic, City or Itakura's decision on a move to Scotland not gathering pace, but with Postecoglou having four senior options at the heart of Celtic’s defence when Christopher Jullien returns from injury, he may well be content for the current campaign.