Could fifth Japanese signing now be a possibility?

Ange’s transfer dealings in the Japanese market have been superb.

All signings, bar Yosuke Ideguchi have been outstanding but that is not a slight on Ideguchi.

An unfortunate injury that kept him out the team and the blistering form of Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley meant that his minutes have been limited this season.

But, overall, the Japanese market has been kind to us.

And one other target that Celtic were looking at may now have become available.

Ko Itakura was a reported long term target for the Hoops this season and as they tried to land the defender, German outfit Schalke beat us to it with a loan move.

Vital Celtic wrote back in February how Schalke Sporting Director confirmed Celtic’s interest in Itakura when he said, “It took a lot of patience to sign him from Manchester City.

“For example, Celtic had tracked him for a year and were desperate to sign him, but we managed to beat them to it.

“We had to wait and wait and the deal could not be completed until the Olympic football tournament had finished which probably helped us.”

And it seemed that any deal was dead in the water as Ko admitted he could see his long term future at the club.

But it seems now that Schalke could be priced out of a move as media outlet WAZ claims the German side cannot afford to pay the money to make the move permanent.

Could the door now be open for Celtic to make their move?

Considering our links with the City Group, you certainly wouldn’t bet against it.

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