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Transfer Rumour: LFC to sign Asian attacker

By on March 4, 2013

The weekend saw the month of March upon us, and with it another series of transfer rumours as the season approaches it’s final 10 games and all attention turns to who will arrive and depart Anfield this summer.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who has had a very-much Jekyll and Hyde season, is linked with a move away in The Sunday People.

Shelvey enjoyed a good first half of the season and was shown to be a key player in Brendan Rodgers’ plans, but a dip in form and some less than well timed off field comments haven’t helped his cause of late. He’s started just twice since the boxing day defeat at Stoke, something he publicly commented on. After the West Brom defeat, his only League start, he vented frustrations at “internet warrior” supporters.

Stoke City are reported to be interested in the England under 21 international. The Sunday People suggest Stoke had representatives at last Monday’s reserve match against Man United, which Shelvey was impressive in. A fee is reported around £7m – which would be a healthy return on a player signed for £1.8m from Charlton.

Elsewhere, The Metro claim Liverpool are to hold talks with CSKA Moscow attacker Keisuke Honda over a pre-contract deal. The 26-year-old Japan international’s deal with the Russians expires this summer and he will not sign a new contract.


Keisuke Honda Portokalis / Shutterstock.com

“We tried to extend his contract, but we can’t force him,” CSKA director Roman Babaev is quoted. “It is up to him what happens next.”

Honda would certainly suit Liverpool’s profile of player, still relatively young at 26, available at a reduced fee (free) and therefore a guaranteed higher sell-on fee. He would also help boost their target market in Asia.

In 2011, Liverpool’s shirt sponsor Standard Charter admitted they would like the club to sign a big Asian player. “We would love the club to have players of nationalities from the markets in which we operate,” said their head of corporate affairs, Gavin Law. “Look what Park [Ji-sung] has done for [Manchester] United in terms of coverage in Korea.

“Liverpool are more aware than most other clubs we’ve spoken to of the commercial opportunity for them. If they can sell a million shirts with another Mr Park on the back, why wouldn’t you?”



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  • Steve Lewis LFC

    Honda sounds like a decent player, but is he a class player? LFC need to bring in class and quality, not quantity. Yes Honda may sell more shirts in Asia, but ultimately it is top class performance on the pitch that counts. But CSKA Moskow are fighting to keep him and so he must have quality.

    • JarekAF

      Did you see World Cup 2010? The guy is top-class.

  • unumused

    admitting that european clubs only buy asians to boost shirt sales while the players are stuck in reserve most of the time? sad really.

  • Redblooded Male

    On the subject of shirts, Honda wears the no.7! Could it be? I hope not.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Bruckner/599103960 Michael Bruckner

    I would love to see him in the team. Sheer class player that would fit in instantly. Can play several positions, great finisher and free kick taker as well. God, please let this happen!

  • Butragenio

    Sell the Beatle. Get the Honda.

  • Shanklys_sons

    Honda can have a bigger impact than Kagawa has had for Man U.

    This is not a player that will just boost shirt sales.

    He has more skill and awareness than Hemderson and Allen, can score goals, assist and at 6ft is not lightweight.

  • Nick C.

    He will have a bigger impact than Kagawa for Liverpool. IMO Kagawa should have started against Real after his hattrick.

    Honda has more awareness and ability to make assists than Allen and Henderson. On top of that he had lethal longshots and freekicks which we haven’t scored much from this season.

    Unlike Kagawa, Honda has the physical frame and strength to fit in well!

  • WelshBoy

    Forgetting that the club don’t get the money unless the shirts are bought from the official website,and the money a ‘Honda’ shirt would actually raise for LFC wouldn’t pay a week of his wages. Not saying he’s bad at all,but if we sign him it won’t be for shirt saless.

  • Nick C

    He will have a bigger impact than Kagawa for Liverpool. IMO Kagawa should have started against Real after his hattrick.

    Honda has more awareness and ability to make assists than Allen and Henderson. On top of that he had lethal longshots and freekicks which we haven’t scored much from this season.

    Unlike Kagawa, Honda has the physical frame and strength to fit in well!

  • peebo

    Come on, give jojo a break. Everybody has a slump, give him the chance to show. Hes gagin for the right position