By JOHN EDWARDS - More by this author »
Last updated at 23:51pm on 8th June 2007
West Ham are ready to include Yossi Benayoun in a package aimed at persuading Liverpool to part with £9million-rated striker Craig Bellamy.
Anfield chiefs are bracing themselves for an approach for Bellamy, as revealed in Sportsmail yesterday, after West Ham manager Alan Curbishley identified the newly-appointed Wales skipper’s pace and movement as the qualities he will need if Carlos Tevez makes his expected departure.
Bait: Yossi Benayoun
Tevez’s uncertain future has come under close scrutiny at Anfield, but Benayoun is emerging as part of an equation that could end with Bellamy moving to Upton Park in a £70,000-a-week deal that would virtually double his earnings.
Midfielder Benayoun has yet to sign a five-year, £50,000-a-week contract with West Ham, and there were claims in Israel, after their 2-0 win over Andorra, that his representatives had agreed personal terms with Liverpool.
No such deal has been struck but Benayoun left the door open for a move to Anfield by saying: "I still haven’t signed with West Ham because of some small differences. They are my first aim but if another team want me we will consider it. If it is good for everyone, why not?"
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is known to admire Benayoun, having tried to sign him for Valencia before the 27-year-old left Racing Santander for Upton Park in a £2.5million transfer in July 2005.
Sportsmail understands Benitez would consider taking Benayoun, who has two years left on his contract, as part-payment for Bellamy as he continues to search for reinforcements on the flanks and up front.
With one-time Anfield target Simao Sabrosa thought to be heading for Lyon, Florent Malouda’s departure from the French champions looks to be close, although Liverpool bosses are less than impressed with the way he appeared to hedge his bets in an interview with L’Equipe yesterday.
"There are no offers at the moment but there has been direct contact," he said. "Chelsea and Liverpool have shown interest. I don’t know how it will be finalised but in my mind, I am certain I will leave.
"At Chelsea, there is Didier Drogba and all the rest but at Liverpool Rafa Benitez is a great coach, too, and the team have played in two Champions League Finals in three seasons. To me, the most important thing will be the desire shown by the clubs. To move abroad you really have to be wanted."
With Arsenal also monitoring Malouda’s availability, Liverpool are far from certain to land the French player of the year and may consider Benayoun’s versatility on either wing a useful asset.
Benitez is at least making headway in his bid to secure the futures of key members of his squad, with Xabi Alonso signing a five-year deal and Momo Sissoko indicating he will ignore overtures from Juventus and commit himself to another long-term contract.
Reports in Italy suggested the newly-promoted Turin giants had tied up a £10m deal for Sissoko but Anfield sources said talks with the 22-year-old midfielder’s agent were nearing completion and that he had signalled an intention to stay.
Full back Steve Finnan is next in line for contract talks...
A FAIRLY GOOD UPDATE ON OUR TRANSFERS...
BUT IM GOING TO SAY FOR THE FIRST TIME THE MALOUDA DEAL LOOKS SHAKY...
