Ajax and Borussia Mönchengladbach close to reaching an agreement for Ko Itakura

Ajax and Borussia Mönchengladabch are close to reaching an agreement for defender Ko Itakura.

The Japanese international had already agreed on a move to Amsterdam, and he will sign a contract valid until 2029, with an option for an extra year. The only sticking point of the move was Gladbach and Ajax reaching an agreement on the fee.

The fee for Itakura will be around €11-13m, with Gladbach receiving a fixed fee of €10m. The final details, such as bonuses, still need to be finalised.

Ajax are not the only side to show interest in Itakura. Fellow Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven had long been linked with the 28-year-old, while Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt had also been interested, but have since turned their attention elsewhere as they look for a replacement for Tuta, who has moved to Qatar.

Whether Gladbach will look to replace Itakura or give the likes of Fabio Chiarodia a chance alongside summer arrival Kevin Dijks is yet to be seen.