Rossoneri unable to reach agreement with CSKA over fee.
AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani has admitted that the club could admit defeat in their pursuit of signing Keisuke Honda this summer.
The 27-year-old has agreed on personal terms with the Serie A giants, which in turn will see him join them on a free transfer in January once his contract expires.
However, Milan have been keen to bring him in immediately in order to have him available for the Champions League, although they have been unable to reach an agreement with CSKA Moscow over a transfer fee.
The Russian outfit are adamant that they will receive €5m for the star, while Milan are not willing to match that valuation given that he is available for free in a few months time.
CSKA will undoubtedly benefit from Honda’s extended stay in their chase of both domestic glory and progressing past the group stages of the Champions League, and therefore are not budging from their price-tag.
As a result, Galliani has revealed that Milan may well have to wait until January to welcome the Japanese playmaker to the club.
“The more time that passes the more the deal becomes less interesting. If CSKA are not willing to sell him right away, Honda will come in January on a free transfer,” he told reporters as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The situation is very clear, he has made a choice and communicated it to his club. CSKA Moscow are the rightful owners, so if they want to sell to us, we’ll get him in August, if not, Honda will come in January on a free transfer,” he added.
Milan had been keen to sign Honda before submitting their Champions League list, however it appears that Galliani is accepting the possibility of being made to wait to land his primary target.
COMMENTS