Tottenham Hotspur will look to sign 27-year-old Japanese international Ko Itakura from Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach in the winter transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur are actively pursuing a deal to sign Ko Itakura, a 27-year-old Japanese central defender currently playing for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. This move comes in the January transfer window as Tottenham seeks to address their defensive frailties exposed by recent injuries.

According to a TEAMtalk report, Tottenham Hotspur has initiated contact with Itakura’s representatives to explore the possibility of a winter transfer. The report further states that Itakura is receptive to a move to North London, and Borussia Monchengladbach is willing to negotiate for a fee of around £15 million.

Itakura has quietly established himself as a dependable defender in the Bundesliga since joining Borussia Monchengladbach from Manchester City in July 2022. Hailing from Yokohama, Japan, Itakura honed his skills in his home country, progressing through the youth academies of multiple clubs before graduating from the Kawasaki Frontale youth system.

In 2019, at the age of 23, Itakura made the move to Europe, signing with Manchester City. However, he struggled to break into the Citizens’ star-studded first team and spent time on loan spells at other clubs. Seeking stability and regular playing time, Itakura opted for a permanent transfer to Borussia Monchengladbach in 2022.

This decision proved to be a turning point in Itakura’s career. Over the past two and a half years, he has become a mainstay in Gladbach’s defense, making over 50 appearances and contributing to the team’s cause with five goals and three assists. His consistent performances haven’t gone unnoticed, attracting the attention of several clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur.

The interest in Itakura stems from Tottenham’s current defensive struggles. Injuries to key central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have left the team with limited options at the back. Radu Dragusin has been forced to shoulder a significant burden as the only recognized center-back available.

With the aim of salvaging the remainder of the turbulent 2024/25 season, Tottenham views Itakura as a viable solution to their defensive woes. The North London club has initiated discussions with his entourage, and Itakura himself seems open to a move to Tottenham this January.

Favorable Price Tag Paves the Way for Transfer

The transfer fee demanded by Borussia Monchengladbach, around £15 million, is likely to be attractive to Tottenham. Considering Itakura’s age, potential, and proven performance in a competitive league like the Bundesliga, this price tag represents a good value proposition for Spurs.

The transfer negotiations are still in their early stages, but all signs point towards a potential deal being struck this month. If the transfer goes through, Ko Itakura could soon be swapping the Borussia Monchengladbach shirt for the Tottenham Hotspur lilywhite, bolstering their defensive line and aiding their quest for a strong finish to the season.