Borussia Monchengladbach closing in on Ko Itakura signing from Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City defender Ko Itakura is set to make a permanent move to the Bundesliga, with Borussia Monchengladbach looking the favourite for the Japanese international's signature, in a deal thought to be worth between €4.5 million and €5 million – although the exact pricing remains unconfirmed.

The Yokohama native was previously on loan at Schalke 04, scoring four goals and helping them win the 2.Bundesliga and acheive automatic promotion back to the German top flight.

Schalke reportedly had a purchase option amounting to €6 million for the 25-year-old, but the Gelsenkirchen giants seemingly could not afford to acquire the player, and the clause is now said to have expired, opening the door for the club's Bundesliga rivals to pick up the central defender, who can also play in holding midfield.

Patrick Berger of SPORT 1 reports that Monchengladbach are closing in on Itakura, with a four-year deal awaiting the player – although final details remain to be clarified before the transfer takes place.

Other interetsed clubs reportedly included Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt and TSG Hoffenheim – but Gladbach have seemingly got their man, with the club's sporting director Roland Virkus said to have been very keen on bringing the player to the Lower Rhine.

The J1 League winner has never made an appearance for the Premier League champions, being loaned out immediately after signing from Kawasaki Frontale in 2019 for a reported fee of close to £1 million.

Photo courtesy of Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images