Liverpool have confirmed they have made an approach to buy West
Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun as Rafael Benitez continues his quest
to recruit new signings at Anfield.
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The Israel international is delaying signing a new five-year
contract at Upton Park - having verbally agreed to the deal three
weeks ago - now that he is aware of Liverpool's interest.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said today: 'I can confirm we
have made an approach for Yossi Benayoun, but the figures quoted
are completely wrong. Other than that we don't want to say any
more.'
There has been speculation that Liverpool offered as little as
£1million for the Isreal captain, with other suggestions that a
£3million bid has been lodged.
West Ham are believed to have rejected the bid and plan talks this
week to convince Benayoun to stay in east London, where his new
contract will be worth £50,000 a week.
Liverpool boss Benitez has followed the progress of Benayoun for a
number of years, initially while the player was with Racing
Santander in Spain.
Last summer, after Benayoun produced an outstanding performance for
the Hammers in the FA Cup final against Liverpool in Cardiff,
Benitez considered a bid.
Benitez was initially dismissive of the player's ability to handle
the physical pressures in the Barclays Premier League when he first
moved to Upton Park, but has now revised his opinion.
However, the fact that Liverpool are considering players of such a
value underlines the problems Benitez is having in the transfer
market.
There is a clear conflict with the club's new American owners Tom
Hicks and George Gillett over finance. Although the Americans have
promised to back their manager in the market, both men have
recently talked of restrain.
Hicks said 'Rafa wants things done yesterday' while Gillett
pointedly said this week that Liverpool would not 'spend money like
drunken sailors.'
All this has not been received well by Benitez. His transfer
targets have included Valencia's David Villa, Lyon winger Florent
Malouda, Real Zaragoza brothers Diego and Gabriel Milito, Atletico
Madrid striker Fernando Torres, Villarreal's Diego Forlan and even
Charlton's Darren Bent.
But all their fees have been prohibitive for Benitez on his current
budget, so the likes of 27-year-old Benayoun now come into the
frame.
Liverpool are believed to again be showing interest in Benfica's
Simao Sabrosa, but that fee could be over £12million.
A move for Benayoun could well be engineered if West Ham maintain
their interest in Craig Bellamy. Liverpool clearly need to sell
before they can buy at present, and a swap deal plus cash could be
negotiated.
oh man, Pool gt lots of MFs ardy
leh..
wad they nid is a very gd striker who can score
regularly..
