Yossi Benayoun has moved closer to a Liverpool exit after agreeing terms on a four-year contract with Chelsea, although the clubs have yet to finalise a fee for the Israel international.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, has targeted the versatile 30-year-old as a replacement for Joe Cole who, along with Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti, will be released from Stamford Bridge when his contract expires at the end of the month. Liverpool rejected a £4m inquiry from the Premier League champions for Benayoun last month and have not received another official offer since.
The midfielder, a £5m signing from West Ham United in 2007, has made no secret of his desire to return to London and has agreed in principle to join Chelsea on a four‑year deal. Reports in Israel, where Benayoun is on holiday, have claimed he will undergo a medical at Chelsea's Cobham training ground this week.
Benayoun will be the first high-profile player to leave Anfield following Rafael Benítez's exit should Liverpool agree a compromise figure with Chelsea. The Israel captain signed a four‑year contract at Liverpool last summer and scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the club last season. The midfielder, however, was often deployed as a substitute under Benítez and became frustrated with the former Liverpool manager as a result. Even with Benítez moving to Internazionale, Benayoun remains determined to leave for a club that can offer Champions League football and a better salary, and is expected to get his way in the coming days.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, has targeted the versatile 30-year-old as a replacement for Joe Cole who, along with Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti, will be released from Stamford Bridge when his contract expires at the end of the month. Liverpool rejected a £4m inquiry from the Premier League champions for Benayoun last month and have not received another official offer since.
The midfielder, a £5m signing from West Ham United in 2007, has made no secret of his desire to return to London and has agreed in principle to join Chelsea on a four‑year deal. Reports in Israel, where Benayoun is on holiday, have claimed he will undergo a medical at Chelsea's Cobham training ground this week.
Benayoun will be the first high-profile player to leave Anfield following Rafael Benítez's exit should Liverpool agree a compromise figure with Chelsea. The Israel captain signed a four‑year contract at Liverpool last summer and scored nine goals in 42 appearances for the club last season. The midfielder, however, was often deployed as a substitute under Benítez and became frustrated with the former Liverpool manager as a result. Even with Benítez moving to Internazionale, Benayoun remains determined to leave for a club that can offer Champions League football and a better salary, and is expected to get his way in the coming days.
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