Benayoun Deal Done according to BBC

[Fowler's God]

Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is set to seal a summer switch to Liverpool, BBC Sport understands.
The West Ham playmaker and Israel international has long been linked with a move to Anfield and a £4m transfer will be finalised on Wednesday.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez has made no secret of his admiration for the 25-year-old who he has been tracking since the end of the season.

"It's clear he'd like to come and he's a player I like," said the Spaniard.

Benayoun, Israel's national captain, moved to Upton Park from Racing Santander in a £2.5m deal in 2005.

He has played 72 games for the Hammers and scored eight goals.

The clubs have already done business this summer with striker Craig Bellamy moving to the capital from Merseyside in a £7.5m deal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6289760.stm

[redeagle]

Benitez’ double swoop
Jul 10 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL hope to tie up their double swoop for Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun within the next 24 hours.

Negotiations for the pair have entered a key stage, with the Reds increasingly confident of reaching agreement with Ajax and West Ham.

The arrival of 20-year-old attacker Babel appears more of a formality, with the player determined to complete the switch to Anfield for a fee likely to be around £10m.

Benayoun has also informed his club he’s made up his mind to join the Reds, but talks with West Ham have proceeded delicately from the outset with the valuation of the player a sticking piont.

Progress was made during another day of tough negotiations yesterday, and it’s hoped the deadlock will be broken today.

West Ham want £6m for the Israeli international.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez says Jamie Carragher’s decision on his international future should be respected by the whole country.

Carragher will speak to Steve McClaren again before the next international with Germany on August 22.

“In any situation like this we need to think about what’s best for the player, the club and the country,” said Benitez, who today completed the £7.5 million sale of Craig Bellamy to West Ham.

“If the player is physically and mentally fit to play in every game, it’s naturally better for his career and the country or club he’s playing for.

“That’s what Carra is thinking about because I know he is someone who never gives less than 100 per cent.

“Everyone knows he is a fantastic professional who wants to perform at the very best level possible in every game he plays.

“We must all respect any decision he makes, because it is certain he is thinking about what’s good for everyone.”


more info.. looks like the two are set to sign. Good buys, yossi is a good proven player (although last season wasn't great) Babel good player aswell.

1 more left.

[Fowler's God]

more info.. looks like the two are set to sign. Good buys, yossi is a good proven player (although last season wasn't great) Babel good player aswell.

1 more left.

Chris Bascombe seems to be on the button most of time. Very close to our managers so with his relationship with Rafa i'd say those 2 deals are done so. No word on quaresma though which is weird.

[Fowler's God]

also from skysports.com

Sky Sports News understands Liverpool have agreed a fee to sign Yossi Benayoun from West Ham United.

Benayoun has emerged as a target for Rafa Benitez's in recent weeks, despite agreeing a new five-year contract at Upton Park.

But the delay in signing the deal has allowed Liverpool to steal in with a suitable offer for the Israel international.

Benitez revealed last week that the Hammers had said 'no' to his club's original offer, but a fee now appears to have been settled upon.

Reports have mooted a price of £4million for Benayoun, who has made 72 appearances for West Ham since joining from Racing Santander two years ago.

His impending switch to Anfield follows the completion of the £7.5million deal which took Craig Bellamy in the opposite direction.

When quizzed on Liverpool's interest last month, Benayoun admitted he was 'honoured' to be wanted by the UEFA Champions League finalists.

[Conor]

The silence surrounding Quaresma speaks volumes. I have a feeling he will come.

[Alex Raisbeck]

4 Million, just about right id say.
If we get Babel & Benayoun, I guess thatll be it ba a defender.

[bmac]

I have been shocked to see the amount of abuse this transfer has been getting on some forums... While Benayoun didn't have a great year last year he was playing in a very poor team

The year before last he had a great season and there were loads of people saying we should sign him. The fact that we have a bit of cash now seems to make everyone think that we should be signing Kaka or Ronaldinho instead of a proven premiership player like Benayoun. I think he could be a really good signing for us

[reder]

I have been shocked to see the amount of abuse this transfer has been getting on some forums... While Benayoun didn't have a great year last year he was playing in a very poor team


Why?
Do you believe he is good enough to be an LFC player?
What will he contribute to a team aiming to move towards/challenge for the PL title? Is he a CL class player?
He has played 72 games for the Hammers and scored 8 goals. Not exactly a brilliant scoring record is it?

He had an awful season last year, playing as part of a West ham team that just avoided relegation. He contributed nothing to the staying up. Tevez kept them up on his own.

Thumbs down on this one im afraid. Tevez is/was the only West ham player from last season that could improve our squad.

[gav003]

To be fair reder he is more of a midfielder than attacker so judging his goal tally is unfair IMO. We have struggled alot in breaking down teams and Rafa obviously feels Benny has the talent to unlock these defences and provide competition for the wings.
I think he will only be a squad player but that depth is very important, depth we've not had in recent seasons. Once Garcia went it's clear Rafa wanted Benny to fill that void. It's not like we're breaking the bank for the chap.

[Malzheimer]

Yossi is a replacement for Luis Garcia. Same sort of player who has the ability to unlock defences with clever passes or a moment of inspiration. He had a great season the year before last more so than the one just gone. Can't believe our own fans are giving this one dogs abuse before he's even pulled on the shirt!
Rafa wouldn't have perservered with this one unless he felt it would add strength to our title challenge. So Yes I believe he has the quality to be a Liverpool player and a good one at that, and is a snip for 4m.

[bmac]

Why?
Do you believe he is good enough to be an LFC player?
What will he contribute to a team aiming to move towards/challenge for the PL title? Is he a CL class player?
He has played 72 games for the Hammers and scored 8 goals. Not exactly a brilliant scoring record is it?

Tevez is/was the only West ham player from last season that could improve our squad.

The main reason I am happy with him coming is that he will improve the squad. He will give us more than either Zenden or Gonzalez gave us last year and that is improving the squad.....

I agree that Tevez would also improve our squad but we are not going to go out and spend 20m every week, we have to take squad improvements at 4m... It just makes sense!

[redeagle]

I think hes a great addition. Maybe not for the really big matches but most likely for the games away to sunderland etc.

We can only put 11 players on the field at any one time ffs. lol

[paddypower111]

good news competion 4 places hopefully babbal will come in aswell

[reder]

Once Garcia went it's clear Rafa wanted Benny to fill that void. It's not like we're breaking the bank for the chap.

I see what your saying Gav but I just disagree with this idea of Benny replacing Garcia. Garcia was all about scoring goals on the big occassion and putting in the odd special pass to create something. His goal scoring record is:

1st team games: 121 (Source Liverpoolfc.tv)
1st team goals: 30

Benny's record for West ham was :

1st team games: 72
1st team goals: 8

I just dont see how this guy can possibly replace Garcia. Also, Garcia was pretty poor when he played against the likes of a Sunderland away. He generally got roughed up and gave away the ball alot! In truth it was frustrating as hell watching him play in those type of fixtures.

[SUPERFAN]

He has played 72 games for the Hammers and scored 8 goals. Not exactly a brilliant scoring record is it?


not having a go mate but either are any of these.

Xabi Alonso-136 Appearances,12 Goals.
Harry Kewell-83 Appearances,12 Goals.
Momo Sissoko-let's not even go there.....:p

if Lpool are to have any chance of winning the League then all these Players will have to chip in with a few more Goals

[reder]

not having a go mate but either are any of these.

Xabi Alonso-136 Appearances,12 Goals.
Harry Kewell-83 Appearances,12 Goals.
Momo Sissoko-let's not even go there.....:p

if Lpool are to have any chance of winning the League then all these Players will have to chip in with a few more Goals

Of course, so the stats above justify replacing Garcia with a player with an inferior scoring record and overall poorer form.

[bmac]

I don't think we have replaced Garcia fully with Benayoun... Benayoun will not score the goals Garcia, those goals will need to come from other areas i.e. Torres, Babel, Kewell, Kuyt, Gerrard

We have replaced Garcia's ability to open up a defence and his creativity though in Benayoun. That is the point being made

[reder]

Must be just me but I think we are throwing 4 million quid away. Its like were buying just for the sake of it. Anyhow we will see come next season.

[gav003]

Speaking of throwing 4 million quid away- The Times have us link with Citeh's Michael Johnson!! WTF????

[bmac]

Must be just me but I think we are throwing 4 million quid away. Its like were buying just for the sake of it. Anyhow we will see come next season.

Thats one of the reasons I love football, everyone has different opinions.. Hope your wrong on this one but if not I hope we have enough in the squad to cope with Benayoun not performing

[WexRed]

Two vague points on Benayoun who I don't know an awful lot about except that he had enough form to make my fantasy football team the season before last which in itself is doing well believe me :D

The first is that I think that all those 8 goals came in the season before last and I think most were in the league.

The second is I've heard he has been phenomenal for Israel. He is their Roy Keane dragged them through qualifiers. I don't know his international scoring record but a work mate has reliably informed me that he's no one season wonder.

If the above is true and he's a proven Premiership player and whatever about his scoring is generally accepted to be a good playmaker / breaker down of defences then he would seem a good value addition to the squad at 4m no ? Its amazing how Garcia's performances are already becoming a bit rose tinted. I never wanted to see the guy go but some of the abuse he got himself over the last three years. He's gone so for 4m Benayoun would seem a good buy.

Right he had a crap season last but so did all of West Ham (even Tevez for the majority of the season which people seem to forget). How quickly we forget the difference in Mascherano playing for West Ham and then us. In Rafa we trust ! His Israeli form, which I'm sure Rafa is aware of, would give me hope that he can step up but regardless he should be usefull in the league........as one fella said at least more so than Zenden and Gonzalez were for all of last season ! Are we gonna start moaning about every transfer that isn't top drawer ? It was only 4m for God's sake thats just about the average price of a full back. Tis a slippery slope in chelskiville regarding transfer expectations.

[bmac]

Wexred... totally agree with all of your comments on this one

4m for Benayoun is good business. Not a good season last year but the mascherano point is well made, he couldn't even get a game for them... shows what a mess they were last year!

[yodabenitez]

Wexred...the voice of reason.

As usual I have avoided the transfer speculation threads because to be honest most of it is a right load of tosh.

We either trust Rafa's judgment or we don't, if he reckons YB is good enough for his squad then that's fine by me. The rise of Israel as a solid international team in recent years while not all of his doing he is certainly a main man for them.

There's a definite undertone in the general transfer speculation that we should be sloshing cash around because we have it. Rafa has shown himself to be a cautious man with a good sense of the worth of a pound and that is a tradition that we have known at LFC since Shanks and probably before.

It is also disappointing to read of players being trashed before they kick a ball for us. I'm delighted with the way Rafa, the new owners, Parry & the club generally have gone about their business this summer. I'm as optimistic as I have been for quite a few years on the Prem front.

[megager]

I suppose most peoples arguement is will Benayoun improve the squad greatly. Many of us dont think he is a better player than Luis, but maybe hell make better use of the ball for a higher percentage of the time, and not give it away cheaply. Rafa has wanted him and I think he has proven he knows what kind of player he wants.

Yoda is right. We should trust Rafas judgement (though it would be easier if he looked less like david brent)

[marko]

[QUOTE=yodabenitez;2056]It is also disappointing to read of players being trashed before they kick a ball for us.

Yodabenitez well said!

Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion i think once a player signs for us he should be given the time to show what he's like and supported when he pulls on the jersey.

at the moment i'm undecided if Yossi will be a good signing for us but i'll support the lad all the way.

On the flip side i can understand from reading various lfc related forums that some people don't see him as another star/big signing type player(against being another squad player) but at 4m i think he is worth the risk and could well turn out to be a very important player for us this season.

[paddypower111]

i think he will be better than garcia at setting up the forwards. and not giveing the ball away.

[Jockser]

very similar to little Luis imo but with better ball retention