Liverpool in pole position for Honda

Liverpool have been put on red alert after CSKA Moscow announced they are willing to let their star player Keisuke Honda leave the club in January.

Honda, 24, has been strongly linked with a move to the Merseyside club, while Arsenal, AC Milan and Barcelona have also been monitoring his progress.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has money to spend in January and reports in Russia suggest that the two clubs have already begun negotiations over a possible transfer.

The major stumbling block appears to be the valuation of the player as CSKA Moscow are looking for at least £10m, while Liverpool are prepared to spend only £8m.

Hodgson is desperate to build his own team at Anfield and sees Honda as a major part of his long-term project to bring silverware back to the club.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.