Gladbach eyes Itakura after half‑price Ajax‑Transfer

Borussia Mönchengladbach will host a Medizincheck for 29‑year‑old centre‑back Itakura on Wednesday, with a fee of €3.5 million – Halb the amount paid in the Ajax-Transfer a year earlier. The deal also includes up to €500,000 in bonuses and a future sell‑on clause.

Gladbach sees bargain in Itakura

Gladbach’s payment of €3.5 million, potentially rising by €0.5 million in bonuses, is less than half of the €10.5 million Ajax-Transfer that secured Itakura in summer 2025. The reduced outlay aligns with the club’s strategy to acquire quality players at a discount after his market value fell from €12 million to €8 million.

Itakura previously featured in 80 matches for Gladbach between 2022 and 2025, establishing familiarity with the club’s environment. He is slated to replace Nico Elvedi, who is set to join Leeds United, providing Gladbach with a ready‑made solution in central defence.

During his sole season at Ajax, a winter back injury limited Itakura to 26 appearances. Consequently, his market value dropped from €12 million to €8 million, prompting the club to consider a sale.

Under new coach Michel Sánchez, Itakura did not feature in the first‑team plans. His availability therefore presents Gladbach with an opportunity to re‑integrate a familiar defender.

Gladbach’s remaining defensive options include Kevin Diks, the injured Fabio Chiarodia and recent signing Jan Leszczyński. Trainer Eugen Polanski will have to organise the back line around these three professionals alongside Itakura.

It marks the Rückkehr of the Ex player after a Jahr, and the Ajax link is highlighted in the Marktwert‑Analyse, showing how the Liga’s Ein Ex transfer can reshape squad depth.