Crystal Palace could target Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Ko Itakura should Marc Guehi depart Selhurst Park in the coming months.
According to Team Talk, Palace have been eyeing the 26-year-old ahead of the January transfer window in case the English international moves on from the club.
Itakura is a ‘talented‘ defender who is very pacey and more than capable of playing out from the back – with the Japanese international brilliant with the ball at his feet.
The former Manchester City man is under contract at Monchengladbach until 2026, with Itakura valued at around £15 million.
Itakura would be a solid addition
Roy Hodgson’s side are in no rush to sell their star defender Marc Guehi, with the 23-year-old under contract until 2026.
He’s fresh off the back of a good international break for England, with two appearances against Italy and Australia – which is only going to drive his price tag up further.
Palace are said to be bracing themselves for a club-record bid for Guehi in January, hence the interest in players such as Itakura and William Pancho.
If Hodgson’s side were to land the Japanese defender, they would have to fend off interest from sides such as Spurs – who have been credited with interest in the defender previously.
Positive signs coming from Selhurst Park
Despite rumours linking Guehi away, the Palace fans should be encouraged by the links with quality defenders.
No fan of the club wants Guehi to leave, however, the calibre of player being linked with Hodgson’s side should be seen as a positive that the board would be looking to reinvest the money from any deal.
With three months until January, it will be interesting to see what develops.
