EPL trio linked to Japanese ‘genius’ and other red-hot gossip

A host of EPL clubs are on alert after Japanese striker Keisuke Honda - who shone at the World - admitted he was considering his future at Russian club CSKA Moscow. Honda’s performances in South Africa have already led Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to label the 24-year-old a “genius”, while Liverpool and Tottenham are also eyeing the star. Elsewhere, Manchester United are back in for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema; Sunderland have indicated that they are prepared to take young Ghana striker Dominic Adiyiah on a season-long loan from AC Milan; Manchester City are mulling over a £16.5m move for Germany forward Lukas Podolski, who plays for Cologne in the Bundesliga; and Liverpool have been linked with a £13m move for FC Twente winger Bryan Ruiz.