Exclusive: Arsenal and Liverpool Link Dismissed by Keisuke Honda Agent

The agent of Keisuke Honda has dismissed reports linking the Japanese sensation to Liverpool or Arsenal in January.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has been perpetually linked with a move to the Premier League over the last 18-months, with Liverpool and their Premier League rivals Arsenal both previously credited as suitors for the lavishly gifted CSKA Moscow star.

Despite recent speculation purporting to renewed interest from Liverpool, the 25-year-old's agent, Kees Ploegsma, claims he is yet to field any calls in regards to the CSKA Moscow star from either Kenny Dalglish or Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger ahead of next month's hotly anticipated transfer window.

"There is no interest in Keisuke to report." Ploegsma told the International Business Times, when questioned on the truth of rumoured interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. "I have nothing else to add, there is no interest."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger famously lauded the Japanese international as one of the best players at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The midfielder, who is equally adept as a second striker, was the driving force behind Japan's run to the last 16 and his form alerted a number of clubs to his evident ability, most notably Liverpool, Juventus and the previously mentioned north London club.

"When they get that genius Honda playing up front, he has shown what a top class player he is. For me he's the best performer of the competition so far." The Arsenal manager told Eurosport, in regards to a player who was also coveted by the former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez, when Honda started his career in Europe for Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo.

In the aftermath of the aforementioned World Cup finals, Arsenal were widely reported to have held preliminary talks with the player even though a fee was never discussed, while Liverpool's interest in the £12 million rated star has also been well documented and was fuelled following comments made by Anfield's director of football, Damien Comolli.

In October, Comolli confirmed that Liverpool were widening their scouting network to the Far East in order to focus on an apparent "untapped market", and Honda and his international colleague Shinji Kagawa, were very much on their radar. The two attacking playmakers are Japan's leading stars and the latter has also been coveted by Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Sunday Mirror recently suggested Honda, who has struggled this season with a recurring knee injury, was back on Liverpool's agenda, but thus far neither Kenny Dalglish nor Arsenal have formally registered their alleged admiration for the 25-year-old.