Liverpool face the possibility of losing long-term target Keisuke Honda to Lazio, after reports in Italy suggested the CSKA Moscow man is on the verge of a move to Italy, talkSPORT reports. Honda has been on Liverpool’s radar for almost two years, but face up to losing out on Honda after Lazio agreed a fee.
The fee for the CSKA Moscow midfielder is around £14m and Liverpool will be gutted to have lost out on the Japanese international, who is considered one of the best Asian players. Honda has recently recovered from a knee injury and the Reds had hoped his return to fitness would alllow them to make a move. CSKA were believed to be uninterested in selling in January and had told Liverpool, but Lazio’s willingness to make the deal and their offer was too much for the Russians to turn down.
Honda’s marketability in Asia would have been superb for Liverpool, who already have a fantastic fanbase across Japan and China. The 25 year old has hit seven goals already this season and his playmaking abilities would create more chances for the Liverpool forwards. Lazio have pinched Honda from under Liverpool’s noses and now the Reds have to change tack if they want to bring in a signing before the end of the window.
Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira is on Dalglish’s radar and the Reds boss confirmed that he is interested in the youngster. The 19 year old impressed in Sporting’s 3-0 win over Liverpool in the NextGen Series and Dalglish is now looking to make a signing. However, the Reds boss will not put Teixeira in the first team yet and is looking for someone who can make an immediate impact in the starting lineup.
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