According to Bild, Borussia Mönchengladbach are in danger of losing centre-back Ko Itakura this summer amid interest from PSV Eindhoven.
It is understood that the Dutch side have made an official offer to Gladbach for the Japanese international, with the fee reported to be within the region of €11.5 million.
However, Gladbach did not consider this to be a suitable offer and quickly rejected the bid.
Die Fohlen are not looking to offload Itakura before the end of the transfer window, as they consider the defender to be one of their key players, and are instead looking to tie the 27-year-old down to a new long-term deal at the club.
Nevertheless, Itakura does have a €15 million release clause within his current deal at Borussia-Park, a fee dangerously close to PSV’s initial bid.
Instead of selling the Japanese international, Gladbach are hoping to bolster their backline before the end of the transfer window.
Regardless, with PSV looking to lure Itakura away from the Bundesliga, Gladbach may need to focus on ensuring they can offer the defender a lucrative new deal at the club to fend off interest.
Should PSV fail to sign Itakura this summer, it is believed that they would be willing to reignite their interest in January should the 27-year-old fail to sign a new deal at Gladbach.
As well as this, it is unknown whether the €15 million release clause is still active, as the Foals often set a deadline of June 30th for clauses of this kind.
Despite this, with PSV’s interest, Itakura’s head could turn, throwing Gladbach’s plans off track for the remainder of the transfer window.
GGFN | Will Shopland
