The possibility of a J1 League return this summer for Keisuke Honda has emerged recently.
The 30-year-old creative playmaker has fallen out of favour at AC Milan this season. Honda made only 7 appearances this season for the club, most of them were from the bench.
J1 League clubs such as Sagan Tosu and Vissel Kobe are rumoured to be interested in signing Honda, whose contract expires in June.
The two clubs will have to fight with other European clubs, as well as teams from America and China for Honda’s service.
Unnamed AC Milan officials disclosed that Sagan Tosu and Vissel Kobe have made initial contact to enquire about Honda.
“It is possible that a club may be interested in it, there is a possibility of [Honda] going to the J1 League,” the officials said, as quoted by Yahoo! Japan.
Honda left Nagoya Grampus, who were then competing in J.League Division 1, to join Dutch side VVV-Venlo in 2008. He later moved to CSKA Moscow and played there for 4 years before joining AC Milan in 2014.
Moving back to Japan could be a right move for Honda to prolong his club and international career.
The 30-year-old’s position at the Japanese national team has been under pressure after youngster Yuya Kubo impressive performances.
Other parties interested in Honda include Premier League’s Hull City, Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders and Chinese Super League’s Shanghai Shenhua.