Ajax has identified the Japanese international KO Itakura as the ideal replacement for Jorrel Hato, Dutch sources reported Wednesday.
Ajax and Chelsea reached an agreement on Wednesday evening about the transfer of Jorrel Hato. Hato costs Chelsea a reported € 43 million, which Ajax needs to replace the young defensive steadfast stand.
According to Tim van Duijn van Voetbal International, the Amsterdam side has already started approaching clubs for possible replacements. The top of the list is Ko Itakura from Borussia Monchengladbach, a 28-year-old Japanese international who plays both positions in the heart of the defense.
Different names occurred in internal discussions, one of which was from Sporting Portugal's Jeremiah St. Juste.
Unanimous
Van Duijn reports that “everyone” in the Ajax organization agrees on the possible arrival of Itakura, which is expected to cost a little less than € 10 million.
Itakura itself wants to become a member of Ajax and has already spoken with director of Football Marijn Beuker, who met the defender earlier this year during a trip to partner club Gamba Osaka.
Ko Itakura's recent statistics flash score
Ajax has already initiated contact with both Itakura and Borussia Monchengladbach, who added the Japanese defender to Manchester City in 2022. Itakura also played two seasons on loan for FC Groningen, where he impressed.
In addition to Ajax, PSV has also tried to lure Itakura back to the Eredivisie. The Japanese international was a reported target for the reigning Eredivisie champions in the summer of 2024, and this year.
Itakura is another year of contraction at Gladbach.