http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8779898.stm Celtic has released Koki. Only took 2 years longer than it should have.
I've just read an interview with his manager - he states that indeed, he proposed him to Roma. The possible way is loan an then full transfer or direct transfer for 2-3 milion Euros. One must have in mind that they didn't want Hasabe last summer. Second problem is of course EU passport.
Wenger called Honda the best player of the tournament so far. And with Fabregas leaving.......but then again Barcelona want him as well.....
I don't see a possibility that Honda will move this summer if there will be less than 20 millions € transfer fee involved.
Well its goal.com but here: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/wo...0-arsenal-manager-arsene-wenger-labels-japans
I'd like to see Honda in Arsenal. He fits perfectly with Wengers style. I'd like to see Arsene as NT coach someday. He could finally fulfill his dreams with those players!
If Cesc is really coming home (I don't know why still, he'll see his place exactly the same as NT, on the bench) then... There would be enough money. I'd never want Cesc to leave Arsenal and his 'father'. But now, when Keisuke is on the horizon, I'll have to change my mind.
Honda ... I'm not sold yet. Pretty solid, good technic, amazing FKs, a lot of strength to gain good positions ... But his game lacks movement, fluidity. And sometimes he can do a wonderful pass, sometimes he can just ignore the easiest solution just to lose the ball a few yards further.
The player I'm most interesting in seeing rumours about is Tulio. One of the best CB's in this years WC, if not the best.
I don't know if that'll ever happen, unless it's to a low-profile club. His age will probably be a deterrent.
Well he rejected Wigan Athletic and FC Twente to join Nagoya. To make sure he gets playing time before the world cup. He now doesn't have that pressure so he could go on. I think he still has the drive to keep playing for another 4 years.
Wasn't it a rumour with him and AC Milan last year? Another player that I think many clubs would like to see more of is Yuki Abe.
He was rumored with AC Milan and Roma last year. He can speak japanese, english, portuguese and italian. So he wouldn't have too much trouble with language. Kawashima has also been offered some deals in europe and he can speak english.
I'm sold that he's quality. Easily the best right now and the only midfielder or attacking player in the NT setup with a killer mindset. The kind I'd expect from Ichiro, Kitajima, or Nakata. Sometimes I see it from Tulio, but he's a defender. That said, I have serious reservations about him going somewhere like Arsenal. I think he did so well at VVV because they really needed and depended on him. At Arsenal, if you don't produce there's 5 guys behind you begging for the chance to step up. Truth be told he'd likely start off as one of those 5 initially. On the other hand, he may be he only player that I think has the mental drive and sense of competitiveness to give it a shot at that level. He didn't strike me as being that much better than Mizuno when he left JLeague... but Mizuno lacked the opportunities and mental toughness to fight his way into a lackluster side (it also didn't help that they wanted to use him as a pseudo forward). Honda has moved from strength to strength. Or at least that's just my 2 yen.
Manchester City, Liverpool, and Real Madrid are looking at Honda http://southafrica2010.yahoo.co.jp/news/ndetail/20100625-00000014-dal-socc None are good choices in my opinion. Liverpool wouldn't be bad because he would probably get playing time.
I'd love to see Honda at Liverpool, especially if Gerrard goes (he could play attacking mid/second striker in his place) but there is no way in hell would we be able to afford him unless a rich Sheikh comes by and buys the club