LIVERPOOL insist they have received no approach for Yossi Benayoun – but the midfielder looks set to leave Anfield this summer.
Reports claiming the Reds have rejected a £4million bid for the Israeli from Chelsea are wide of the mark.
However, the Premier League champions are interested in the 30-year-old and Benayoun has made no secret of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge.
Benayoun, who signed a new four-year deal last summer, was mysteriously left out of Liverpool’s squad for the final game of the season at Hull City.
A switch to Russia initially looked on the cards with CSKA and Spartak Moscow vying for his services, while his agent recently revealed he could be tempted by a move to Roma.
However, Chelsea are now the favourites to secure his signature and manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping a deal can be completed before the World Cup finals begin.
“There has been no approach from any club for Yossi Benayoun,” a Liverpool spokesman insisted today.
Benayoun, who cost £5million from West Ham three years ago, grew increasingly frustrated at Anfield last season.
He started 29 games but much to his displeasure he was substituted by manager Rafa Benitez on 22 occasions.
The former West Ham star believes Liverpool will let him go if Chelsea offer £6million
“Ancelotti wants me for next season and now everything depends on Liverpool,” Benayoun said while on international duty with Israel.
“Chelsea will have to pay some £6m, but I believe that, in the end, I’ll be moving there.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool have reiterated that Fernando Torres is not for sale at any price this summer.
Chairman Martin Broughton is reported to have said that it might be better for Torres to leave because it could take up to three years to transform the club’s fortunes.
His comments were allegedly made to Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson, who disclosed details of a conversation she had with Broughton.
“I saw Martin Broughton at Chelsea’s Player of the Year dinner and he refused to tell me that we weren’t going to sell Torres,” Jackson said.
“He said, ‘At the moment, he’s still on board, but it’s going to take three years to turn the club around, and at his age . . .’ ”
The club insist, however, that Broughton has already publicly made it clear that Torres will not be sold.
Managing director Christian Purslow and co-owner Tom Hicks have also attempted to reassure supporters.
They have promised that bids for the Spaniard won’t be entertained
So it seems Benni is on his way to the Big Smoke.... it also seems Ancelotti forever retains the capacity for surprise
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