Liverpool need to sign a new defender, either in January or next summer, and they must move for Ko Itakura.
According to journalist Patrick Berger, Liverpool and Tottenham have shown interest recently to sign the 26-year-old defender from Borussia Monchengladbach.
The defender has an exit clause that is effective in the summer, where any potential club can sign him by paying around £13m, which shouldn’t be a problem for Liverpool who have been tracking the defender for a while now.
“Revealed: Gladbach star Ko Itakura (26/ ) has, according to Sky information, an exit clause that takes effect from summer and is 10-15m €. The Foals are working on extending the defender early. Recently there was interest from Tottenham and Liverpool,” wrote Berger on X.
Tottenham have already signed one centre-back this month, with Radu Dragusin joining from Genoa. Liverpool are expected to explore other options, but they must look to get a deal done for Itakura now and win the race ahead of their rivals.
The Japan international impressed for Gladbach last season and he has been in good form in the present campaign as well.
Liverpool are a bit short of options at the back. Joel Matip picked up an ACL tear and he is likely to miss out the entire campaign. In any case, he has a contract at the club until the end of the season, and the Reds are unlikely to offer him a new deal.
Ibrahima Konate has been in terrific form this season, while Virgil van Dijk remains one of the best in the world, despite the fact he will turn 33 in a few months. The club must find a long-term replacement for him.
Jarell Quansah, 20, has stepped up and has impressed heavily this season. Liverpool have recalled Natt Phillips from his loan spell, but Rhys Williams has been allowed to go out on loan yet again.
Phillips can be used as a temporary solution, but it makes sense for the club to move for a quality defender like Itakura when he is available at a decent price.
