Milan 'Very Close' To Signing Japan Star Keisuke Honda From CSKA MoscowItalians confident of deal between ?13-15m for in-demand forward
Sulmaan Ahmad
Jul 23, 2010 11:55:00 AM
AC Milan are close to securing the signing of Japan's World Cup sensation, Keisuke Honda, from CSKA Moscow, Goal.com can reveal.
The Italian giants made an offer of ?13m on Thursday, to which the Russian club responded requesting an increased bid of ?15m, and now sources from within the Rossoneri are confident of securing the Japanese star's signature imminently.
"We are very close to signing Honda, the clubs are very close to finding an agreement," said the source. "[Milan coach Massimiliano] Allegri likes him a lot and wants to see him playing alongside [Alexandre] Pato and Ronaldinho."
Honda, 24, has been the subject of widespread attention and admiration for his impressive performances for CSKA Moscow in the 2009-10 Champions League, followed by a superb World Cup campaign for Japan, in which he scored two eye-catching goals.
The forward - who can play as a striker or in a slightly deeper position, and is best known for his lethal left foot - has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Everton, Atletico Madrid, Deportiva La Coruna and Valencia, among others.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2010/07/23/2038516/exclusive-milan-very-close-to-signing-japan-star-keisuke