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Exclusive: Agent admits Honda enquiries but no formal bids
Japanese international Keisuke Honda has received a number of enquiries regarding a summer move away from CSKA Moscow, however Sport.co.uk understands no serious offers have been lodged with the forward despite reported interest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Olympique Marseille and Italian giants AC Milan.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed his admiration for Honda during the World Cup, labeling him the “best performer” and a “genius.” The Gunners and Liverpool were reported as interested in signing Honda when he was at Dutch side VVV Venlo, although Russian side CSKA Moscow eventually won the race to sign Honda in a deal worth a reported 6 million euros.
The 24-year-old Japanese international started his career at the same club as former Arsenal player Junichi Inamoto, Gamba Osaka, before moving onto Nagoya Grampus Eight, the club from whom Arsene Wenger joined the Gunners in 1996. AC Milan
The agent of Honda, Kees Ploegsma told Sport.co.uk: “There is no new news regarding Honda. He is currently under contract with CSKA Moscow and there has not been any serious offers for Keisuke, only enquires.
“I think he would suit the Premier League because he is a very good footballer. He could play anywhere in the world. I think he can cope with the physical nature of the Premier League. If he can cope in the Russian league, than he can cope in England.”
At the beginning of July Kees Ploegsma told Sport.co.uk that Honda was open to a move to the Premier League:
“Obviously he is open to interest and talk of the Premier League but the second issue is CSKA Moscow. I am not saying it is unlikely that they might sell him, but I don’t know what price they would be asking for as he is under contract for another four and a half years.