Ajax Identify the Japanese international ko itakura as replacement of Jorrel Hato

Ajax has identified the Japanese international Ko Itakura as the ideal replacement of Jorrel Hato, Dutch sources reported on Wednesday.

Ajax and Chelsea concluded an agreement on the transfer of Jorrel Hato on Wednesday evening. Hato will cost Chelsea 43 million euros, which Ajax will need to replace the young faithful defensive.

According to Tim Van Duijn of Voetbal International, the Amsterdam team has already started to approach clubs for potential replacements. Ko Itakura, a 28 -year -old Japanese international who plays both positions at the heart of the defense is at the top of the list.

Several names appeared in internal discussions, one of which was that of Portugal of Jérémie de Jumemiah de Jute.

Unanimous

Van Duijn reports that “everyone” in the organization of Ajax agrees on the potential arrival of Itakura, which should cost a little less than 10 million euros.

Itakura himself wants to join Ajax and already spoke to the director of football Marijn Beuker, who met the defender during a trip to the Gamba Osaka partner club earlier this year.

Ajax has already initiated contact with Itakura and Borussia Monchengladbach. Itakura joined Gladbach from Manchester City in 2022 and played two seasons on loan for FC Groningen, where he impressed Ajax and PSV.

Besides Ajax, the PSV also tried to attract Itakura to Eredivisie. The Japanese international was a reported objective for the reign champions of Eredivisia in the summer of 2024, as well as this year.

Itakura is under contract in Gladbach for one more year.