Gladbach Defender Ko Itakura Draws Bundesliga Interest from Frankfur
Borussia Mönchengladbach relies heavily on player sales to boost its finances, and this summer a Bundesliga rival could help ease that pressure.
Since 2022, Gladbach’s summer transfer windows have followed a familiar pattern: the club secures one or two signings early on—like Kevin Diks and Jens Castrop for the upcoming season—and then waits for incoming transfers to fund further purchases.
Last year, midfielder Manu Koné was expected to bring in significant revenue but only moved to AS Roma just before the transfer deadline. This summer, Gladbach aims to close sales sooner to strengthen their squad quicker.
Eyes Defensive Reinforcement
According to a reliable source, Eintracht Frankfurt has set its sights on Gladbach’s central defender Ko Itakura. Earlier reports hinted at this possibility, with the Rheinische Post naming him as a candidate for the Frankfurt squad back in April.
Eintracht Frankfurt has enjoyed a breakthrough season, qualifying for the Champions League through their Bundesliga standing for the first time. Under coach Dino Toppmöller, they secured third place with 60 points despite losing key player Omar Marmoush in January.
Potential Defensive Shake-Up in Frankfurt
The Frankfurt defense might see changes soon. Defender Tuta, under contract until 2026, is reportedly interested in a move to Spain. Meanwhile, Robin Koch has an exit clause and has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen, though the club remains hopeful he stays.
In this context, Itakura emerges as a promising target. Frankfurt’s sporting director, Markus Krösche, had monitored him even before his €5 million transfer to Gladbach in summer 2022. The Japanese international, who has earned 37 caps for his country, is prized for his versatility, able to perform both as a center-back and a defensive midfielder.
Itakura’s Future at Gladbach in Question
Itakura is contracted with Gladbach until 2026 but reportedly refuses to extend his deal. After a strong season marked by his first injury-free campaign since joining, he is considered the leading candidate to leave the club.
Meanwhile, a significant defensive overhaul seems underway at Gladbach. Nico Elvedi is looking to take the next step in his career for the third consecutive year. Marvin Friedrich and Stefan Lainer are reportedly unhappy with their current roles, and Luca Netz is also rumored to be exploring new opportunities. In contrast, striker Tim Kleindienst is expected to remain despite recovering from a knee injury.
