Keisuke Honda would turn down Lazio

Moscow, Aug 18 - CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda put an end to speculation linking him with Lazio football club, saying that he would not accept an offer from the Italian team.

Lazio reportedly made an offer to buy Honda in January, but it was rejected by CSKA.

“If Lazio calls me, I won’t go,” Honda said.

The Japan international suggested that Lazio’s failure to qualify for the Champions League was a major factor.

Comparing the situation now with that in January, he said: “If you remember that moment, Lazio could have qualified for the Champions League. However, they didn’t manage it.”

“I was 25 in the first half of the year, now I’m 26. A lot has changed in half a year.”

CSKA bought Honda from Dutch club VVV Venlo in 2009 for a reported six million euros ($7.4 million), and he is under contract at the Russian side until December 2013.

He has 35 caps for Japan and has scored 12 goals for his country.