Official: Itakura leaves Schalke

By Rune Gjerulff

Ko Itakura will not join Schalke 04 on a permanent basis.

Schalke 04 will not activate their purchase option for Ko Itakura to turn the defender’s loan from Manchester City into a permanent move.


Citing financial constraints, the newly-promoted Bundesliga outfit announced the decision on Tuesday.

“Nobody had any doubts about the fact that Ko was one of our stand-out players on the pitch this season. We’d have loved to have him in our Bundesliga squad, but that wasn’t possible due to financial reasons,” said Schalke sporting director Rouven Schröder.

“We don’t want to beat around the bush. At this moment in time, when a lot of squad planning decisions still need to be made, we were unable to exercise the purchase option. The financial outlay was too large and would have exceeded our carefully-planned budgets.”

More about Ko Itakura

Reports: Three more suitors for Schalke’s Man City loanee emerge
Report: Stuttgart set €3 million price tag on Churlinov
Report: Schalke weigh €6 million purchase option for Ko Itakura, May 31st deadline beckons
Schalke offseason plans: Five confirmed outs, links with Krauß and Ortega surface

More about Schalke 04

Report: Schalke make offer for St. Pauli left-back
2. Bundesliga’s conclusion: Hamburger SV secure playoff spot with comeback win, Bremen clinch promotion
Bundesliga Fan Scene: Six of nine fixtures sell out in week 33
FC Schalke 04 secure automatic promotion back to the Bundesliga
Kicker Report: Leitl’s future must be settled by April 30th
Schalke boss confirms Büskens will not stay as head coach beyond the summer

Source link

About Author