According to reports from Calcio Mercato, potential suitors of Keisuke Honda may have to wait until the end of the season to sign the AC Milan free kick specialist.
The Japan international is renowned for his potency from dead ball situations, a defining trait which has seen him produce 76 goals in 353 appearances at club level and 32 in 77 outings for his country – who he represented at the 2014 World Cup.
Having fallen out of favour at the San Siro since criticising the running of the club and calling for more investment earlier this season, receiving just four starts in Serie A, the 29 year-old was linked with Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham last month – all of whom are hoping to prize him away in January.
But according to Calcio Mercato, AC Milan are likely to block any approaches made for the attacking midfielder in the coming transfer window.
Honda is pushing for a move and has asked to meet the club’s executives to negotiate a departure, but the Italian giants won’t let him leave in January following an injury to star forward Jeremy Menez. Rumour has it they’re also set to offload former Liverpool hot shot Suso – further weakening their attacking depth.
However, AC Milan do intend to sell next summer – when Honda’s contract will have entered its final twelve months.