LIVERPOOL will increase their bid for Yossi Benayoun to
£4.5million after West Ham pulled the plug on his new
contract.
And Kop striker Craig Bellamy may yet be used as part of a swap
deal. Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson has lost patience with
Israeli midfielder Benayoun and withdrawn his offer of a new £13m
five-year deal.
Anfield manager Rafa Benitez plans to cash in on the rift while
also offloading misfit Bellamy.
Benayoun is being punished for dithering over signing a new
contract after the Reds unsuccessful £3m bid last week.
He said: Im honoured a club like Liverpool is interested in me.
Im contracted to West Ham so we will have to see what
happens.
West Ham insist the player has not submitted a formal transfer
request, although Benayouns feelings have been made clear that he
fancies a move to Anfield.
*
Benayoun, 27, is currently on holiday in his homeland and played an
hour of a friendly between Israel and Real Madrid on Tuesday, which
the Spanish champions won 8-0.
But West Ham have acted in his absence. They shelved plans to
reward the skilful winger by ripping up the remaining two years of
his contract in return for five more years and a £10,000- a-week
pay rise
Magnussons patience with Premier League players has worn thin
following his dealings with Darren Bent last week.
The Charlton striker rejected a £17m move to West Ham at the last
minute after lengthy talks.
Benayoun must prove his commitment before Magnusson is prepared to
revive the offer but the midfielder is not due back until early
next month.
The Hammers are also looking at PSV Eindhovens Ivory Coast striker
Arouna Kone, 23.
~~why get another MF 
why why why
