Honda would be good addition to the Premier League

Russian club CSKA Moscow have revealed that they are prepared to listen to reasonable offers for Japanese attacker Keisuke Honda.

The 24 year-old starred for his national side at this summer’s World Cup and was rumoured to be interesting a number of Europe’s major clubs, including AC Milan and Barcelona.

Open

A spokesperson for his Russian club told Sankei Sports: “We do not wish to keep players against their will if they want to move on,”

“We respect our players’ decisions. We are prepared to listen to any offers provided that the price is reasonable.”

Honda is a talented player and an heir apparent to former-Japan star Hidetoshi Nakata as the pin-up boy of the national side. He burst onto the world scene with some superb World Cup performances for the Asian side and helped Japan into the last 16 of the competition.

Vision

Honda is still inexperienced at the top level but he has the potential to be even better than Nakata, who never quite lived up to the massive hype surrounding him. I saw Nakata play a few times but for me Honda could be a better all-round player.

He is definitely the star of the up and coming Japanese side and is talented enough to make it in the Premier League. Honda has flair, skill and vision all qualities lauded in the English top flight.

Rise

Honda has only been in Europe for two years. He joined Dutch side VVV-Venlo in January 2008 but quickly impressed. He earned the nickname ‘Keizer Keisuke’ (Emperor Keisuke) he impressed that much.

His displays in Holland earned him a big move to Russian giants CKSA Moscow. He has impressed for CSKA since his move and also for the Japanese national side. He is now one of the most wanted players in Europe.

Destination

Honda has reported attracted the interest of the likes Arsenal and Liverpool. He would fit into Arsenals passing style of play and he is definitely an Arsene Wenger sort of player. Arsenal however already have a number of top midfielders and it would be hard to see where he would fit in.

Liverpool are in a transitional state at the moment and Honda is the sort of creative player that the Reds have lacked in recent months. He would be a superb signing for Liverpool but the question is can Roy Hodgson afford the Japanese star?

The forward is believed to be rated in the £12million bracket and it’s unclear whether Hodgson will be able to spend that much on one player.

Revenue

Not only is Honda a superb player he is also a massive commercial attraction. The signing of Asian players can boost clubs profile in the very important Asian market. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has talked about the possibility of signing an Asian player and most of the world’s top clubs have strong links with Asia.

Honda would prove an ideal signing as he will attract more fans from Japan and he would also be a useful player to have in any Premier League squad. I just wish that Everton boss David Moyes had enough money to sign the Japanese star but if the Blues can’t sign Honda I would still like to see the star plying his trade in the Premier League, I’m sure he would prove a massive hit.

Would Keisuke Honda be a good signing for Premier League sides?