Celtic transfer news as Taylor Harwood-Bellis emerges alongside familiar Manchester City face Ko Itakura

Celtic have flung their recruitment pursuit for next season into overdrive.

Manager Ange Postecoglou doesn’t do hanging about and just like last pre-season, is hellbent on getting his new signings in as early as possible.

Backed by a believing board and now aided by head of recruitment Mark Lawwell, the Scottish champions are getting down to business in a bid to be ready for their assault on the Champions League proper.

This week Record Sport exclusively revealed the club are poised to finalise deals for two integral players – Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Now Sky Sports are reporting that’s not all. It is being stated Celtic are monitoring Manchester City duo Ko Itakura and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Both are centre-backs, although Itakura can also operate as a defensive midfielder. It is believed, however, the signing of either does not hang on whether Carter-Vickers does commit as expected.

The push to secure Carter Vickers is unlikely to the only piece of business in central defence with Christopher Jullien a likely candidate to move on.

He made clear his desire for more game time but the former £7m man found opportunities hard to come by under the Australian after returning from a serious injury.

Last summer we brought you the news Itakura was on Celtic’s radar and now Harwood-Bellis could be a live option as well.

The 20-year-old has experience that belies his tender years as he has played extended minutes on loan at Blackburn, Anderlecht and Stoke over the past two seasons.

Itakura has been on loan at Schalke in Germany during the season just completed.

The Bundesliga have an option to buy the Japan international but as we reported recently, it’s believed they are unable to cough up the £6million fee that was agreed between City and Schalke.