According to reports from The Sun, West Ham are planning a cut-price swoop for AC Milan midfielder Keisuke Honda in January.
The Japan international is particularly famed for his potency from set pieces, a defining trait which has seen him produce 76 goals in 353 appearances at club level and 32 in 77 outings for his country.
The 29 year-old moved to the San Siro from CSKA Moscow on a free transfer in January 2013 but now finds himself out of favour after publicly criticising the running of the club over the last few years and calling for more investment. He’s made just three Serie A appearances so far this season.
Everton and Tottenham Hotspur were both linked with the attacking midfielder earlier this month, with both allegedly planning bids from the January transfer window.
But The Sun claim they’re now rivaled in the race for Honda’s signature by West Ham, who want to ‘rev up their top four charge’ with a £5million swoop for the experienced international.
AC Milan are likely to sell. Not only is Honda decreasing in significance under manager Siniša Mihajlovi?, but his contract also expires at the end of next season.