Lazio have emerged as favourites to secure the signature of CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda, although the transfer fee proves to be a stumbling block.

The Japan international has been continually linked with a move out of Russia, with the likes of Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and even Manchester United among those reportedly interested.

But Lazio have joined in the race for the 25-year-old, as club sporting director Igli Tare flew to Moscow to negotiate a possible deal.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, Honda has requested for the No.10 shirt vacated by Mauro Zarate and even agreed to take a pay-cut.

Further fueling the speculation is Honda's agent Maikel Stevens, who has talked up a move to Lazio.

"Lazio is a great option for Honda," Stevens told the same paper.

"But we're still unsure whether the transfer will take place now or in the summer."

However, according to Russia's Sport Express, negotiations have hit a snag as both clubs have yet to agree on a transfer fee.

Lazio are reportedly willing to take him on a six-month loan for €2 million before buying out his contract for €10million.

But CSKA are demanding nothing less than €16 million.

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AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has not given up hope of signing Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez during the winter transfer market.

The Rossoneri pulled out of negotiations with City earlier this month to acquire the Argentina forward but have now confirmed they are back in the race to sign the 27-year-old.

"Tevez wants Milan? We also want Tevez," Galliani said on the club's official website, acmilan.com

"We shall see, there are still seven days left until the end of the transfer window."

However, Milan face stiff competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan to land Tevez, who has stated his preference to join the Rossoneri.

Galliani insisted that should Milan fail to acquire Tevez, the Rossoneri would sign Fulham target Maxi Lopez from Catania.

"If Tevez does not arrive, then Maxi Lopez will join us," Galliani said. "Either one or the other, certainly not the two of them."

Reports in Italy claimed Lopez has travelled on Monday to Milan to complete his transfer to the San Siro outfit.

However, Galliani said: "I think he (Lopez) is already in Milan but we will now see what happens.

"His medical? We must be calm, we need to wait a few more days. Maxi Lopez is a player that interests us a lot and it's likely that he will arrive. The situation is very simple, we have an agreement with Catania and with the player."

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Real Madrid will not punish defender Pepe for his apparent stamp on Barcelona's Lionel Messi during a typically fiery meeting between the two sides in the Copa del Rey.

Pepe appeared to stamp on the hand of Messi while the Argentinian forward was on the ground during Barca's 2-1 win in Madrid, prompting widespread criticism, and Mourinho warned the Portugal defender he would face disciplinary action if it was seen to be deliberate.

But Mourinho has now accepted Pepe's claim the contact was accidental, and will include him in the squad to play Athletic Bilbao if he can shake off a hamstring problem sustained during the match.

"Pepe is on the squad list, but we have yet to see if he'll be fit enough to play or not," Mourinho said. "I have to call up other players for his position. If he can't make it someone else will. They're all good.

"Pepe apologised and that's enough for me. I'd only be angry if Pepe publicly said what he did was not intentional after admitting privately that it was. Those who think he's a liar should say so and assume the consequences.

"It's your right to call him a liar if you wish to, but you must assume the consequences. It would be an issue between you and the person you accuse of lying."

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Dutch maestro Welsey Sneijder has reaffirmed that he will not be leaving Inter Milan this month.

The Oranje midfielder has long been linked with a move to England, with both Manchester United and Manchester City keeping close tabs on his situation.

But the Inter star has again stressed that he has no intention of leaving the San Siro

"I am in good shape and I feel well. The future? I stay at Inter, I feel good here," he stressed after Inter's 2-1 win over Lazio on Sunday.

"How much is left until the end of this transfer window? A week, no? I'm staying here."

Sneijder, who is under contract with Inter until June 2015, has scored one goal in eight league appearances for the Nerazzurri this season.

Meanwhile, Inter president Massimo Moratti hopes Thiago Motta will stay at the San Siro despite strong interest from Paris St Germain.

The Italy international has been strongly linked with a move to the big-spending Ligue 1 club this month, but Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Thiago Motta is one of our most important players.

"He has contributed to Inter's success in recent years. This should make him non-transferable. However, the market is what is is and we hope that he will not leave."

The 29-year-old midfielder, who is under contract with the Nerazzurri until June 2013, joined Inter from Genoa in 2009 and has scored three goals this season.

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