MOSCOW, August 22 (R-Sport) – Japanese footballer Keisuke Honda's long-awaited transfer from Russia to AC Milan could finally happen next week, as officials at the Italian club look to meet CSKA Moscow bosses on the sidelines of a Monaco conference, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported Thursday.
The Russians must move quickly if they want to receive a fee for the 27-year-old Japanese international, who can leave for free in the winter when his contract expires.
Talks on his transfer have dragged on for weeks after the player announced at the end of last season his "work is done" in Russia, having helped CSKA to a league and cup double.
Reports from Italy indicate a deal could finally be struck when officials from both clubs meet at a European Club Association congress in Monaco on August 29-30.
In the meantime, Honda's blistering club form shows no sign of abating, with the attacking midfielder playing a key role in CSKA's unbeaten start to the season, which has seen three wins and two draw.
Honda joined CSKA from Dutch team Venlo in 2010. He has 44 caps for Japan, scoring 15 goals, the most recent of which earned the team the spot at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
