Mancini admits interest in Hazard; Honda disappointed by failed Lazio move

Mancini admits interest in Hazard

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has moved to confirm reports that he is interested in signing Lille forward Eden Hazard.

The Italian manager is keen on adding more talent to the squad in January and he sees Hazard as a welcoming addition to the squad.

“Hazard has an enormous level of talent and is able to play at the maximum level,” Mancini told French weekly newspaper Le 10 Sport.

“But we know there is interest from the big European clubs and any deal will not be easy.”

Despite the heavy interest from abroad, the Belgian decided not to move clubs in January, but he recently revealed that he planned to leave Lille next summer.

Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter and few other high-profile clubs are interested in signing the talented forward, meaning that we could see a real bidding war for his services come end of the season.

Honda disappointed by failed Lazio move

CSKA midfielder Keisuke Honda admits he expected to leave Russia during the January transfer window.

The Japanese playmaker was on the verge of a deadline day move to Lazio, but the Italian club ultimately failed to agree the transfer fee with the Russian giants.

The player reveals he was looking forward to joining Bianconeri.

“I waited for a better club during the last transfer window and I was hoping for a transfer to Lazio,” Honda told Japanese daily Nikkan Sports.

The 25-year-old confirms that Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain also expressed interest in his services.

“Now, my focus is back on CSKA, but at the end of the year my contract is set to expire and I feel honoured that my name is associated with clubs like Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.”

Honda joined CSKA Moscow in a €6 million move for VVV Venlo two years ago, and he has since proved his potential at the biggest stage.

Lazio and other interested clubs are expected to return for the player in the summer, when he should be available at a cut-back price.

Torino rejected big money move for Ogbonna

Torino president Urbano Cairo claims that the club rejected a €10 million move for defender Angelo Ogbonna in January.

The highly rated defender recently signed a new long-term deal with il Granata, but he was subject of heavy interest in January transfer window.

However, Torino decided to keep hold of their star player after the request from coach Giampiero Ventura.

“There was a moment when he could have been sold,” Torino president Urbano Cairo told La Stampa.

“However, Ventura asked us to keep him and the player too wanted to remain. After that, the only way forward was an extension to his contract.”

Juventus have long ago expressed interest in signing the promising defender, but Cairo claims other clubs were in the race as well.

“Valencia, Napoli and Benfica were after him. We were offered €10m for his transfer.”

The player of Nigerian descent is widely considered as one of the best defenders in Italy and he was recently handed a national team debut despite plying his trade in Serie B.

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