EVERTON are pondering a summer move for Japan playmaker Keisuke Honda.
The Blues have watched the 26-year-old in action for current club CSKA Moscow, and believe he would be ideally suited to the Premier League.
Attacking midfielder Honda, who has scored nine goals in just 19 games so far this season for the Russian giants, is believed to be interested in a move to England but is also a target for Italian sides Lazio and Fiorentina.
Honda is out of contract in December, meaning he would be available at a knock-down price in the summer.
The 6ft Japan international starred for his country in the last World Cup and has won 41 caps, scoring 13 goals.
Meanwhile, Leon Osman has received his first competitive international call-up after being named in the England squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.
Leighton Baines has also been named in Roy Hodgson’s 26-man group, but Phil Jagielka misses out as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.
Osman made his long-awaited international debut last November in a friendly defeat against Sweden before being an unused substitute in last month’s home friendly with Brazil.
The Three Lions play at San Marino on Friday, March 22 before travelling to Montenegro four days later on Tuesday, March 26.
