Unsettled Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun is being linked with a shock return to former club West Ham this summer as new boss Avram Grant's first signing.
Former Portsmouth manager Grant is due to take over at Upton Park in the next few days once he has thrashed out personal terms with owners David Gold and David Sullivan.
And he has targetted Benayoun, who has been in and out of the Reds first-team since his move to Anfield in 2007, as the first signing of his new regime.
Benayoun enjoyed two very successful seasons with the Hammers following his move from Racing Santander in 2005.
And although he is well regarded among Liverpool fans, manager Rafael Benitez appears unconvinced and has been reluctant to give him an extended run in the starting XI.
The Israeli international also raised doubts over his future earlier this month, saying: 'We don't know what changes there will be [this summer].
'I don't know personally even if I will be here or not.
'A lot of things can happen, so we have to wait and see. It will be very clear soon.'
Engineering the return of Benayoun, who remains a firm fans' favourite in east London despite contract issues clouding his departure, would endear Grant to the Boleyn Ground faithful immediately.
And Gold and Sullivan, who yesterday raised their stake in the club to 60 per cent and revealed plans to enable fans to invest in future, are hopeful of bringing in more new signings to boost spirits.
Last season ended in turmoil after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League, before the departure of well-regarded manager Gianfranco Zola after reports of unrest with the boardroom.
Former Portsmouth manager Grant is due to take over at Upton Park in the next few days once he has thrashed out personal terms with owners David Gold and David Sullivan.
And he has targetted Benayoun, who has been in and out of the Reds first-team since his move to Anfield in 2007, as the first signing of his new regime.
Benayoun enjoyed two very successful seasons with the Hammers following his move from Racing Santander in 2005.
And although he is well regarded among Liverpool fans, manager Rafael Benitez appears unconvinced and has been reluctant to give him an extended run in the starting XI.
The Israeli international also raised doubts over his future earlier this month, saying: 'We don't know what changes there will be [this summer].
'I don't know personally even if I will be here or not.
'A lot of things can happen, so we have to wait and see. It will be very clear soon.'
Engineering the return of Benayoun, who remains a firm fans' favourite in east London despite contract issues clouding his departure, would endear Grant to the Boleyn Ground faithful immediately.
And Gold and Sullivan, who yesterday raised their stake in the club to 60 per cent and revealed plans to enable fans to invest in future, are hopeful of bringing in more new signings to boost spirits.
Last season ended in turmoil after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League, before the departure of well-regarded manager Gianfranco Zola after reports of unrest with the boardroom.
No comments:
Post a Comment