Yossi Benayoun (Barcelona)

I know Yossi is the subject of another thread but maybe the Mods can blend this one into it.

EXCLUSIVE: Barca risk Rafa's wrath by returning with bid for Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is on collision course with Rafa Benitez after targeting a second Liverpool player in as many weeks.

Benitez reacted angrily when Guardiola's interest in Javier Mascherano was leaked to a local Catalan radio station in a move that appears to have unsettled the Liverpool midfielder.

Though stressing Mascherano will not be allowed to leave, and claiming the 25-year-old was happy at Anfield, Benitez was dismayed to hear claims from the Mascherano's agent that 'of course' he would be interested in a transfer to the Nou Camp.

Now Liverpool could struggle to hang on to Yossi Benayoun after reports in Israel that he has been the subject of an approach from the newly crowned European champions.

According to sources close to Benayoun, senior figures at Barcelona have contacted their Anfield counterparts and enquired about his availability and an asking price.

Benayoun crowned an impressive season for Liverpool with a late Champions League winner against Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, and his form has been noted by Guardiola, who believes his touch and vision would make him a useful addition to his Nou Camp squad.

But Benayoun's Liverpool future already appeared to be in the balance after he recently admitted receiving approaches from clubs at home and abroad.

Manchester City and his former club West Ham have been monitoring his impact on Liverpool's hunt for honours, while Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have also declared an interest.

It is understood that, at 29, he feels there is one more big pay day to come and that an offer of contract talks at Anfield would be enough to banish any thoughts of moving on.

Benayoun is halfway through a four-year deal, and Benitez must decide whether to reward his improved form, and end uncertainty over his future, by presenting him with the long-term deal he is looking for.

Speaking on Israeli radio last month, Benayoun said: 'This has been the best season of my career. I have played a lot of games and scored some important goals, and I am very happy with that.

'At the moment, I am a Liverpool player, and unless something surprising happens, I will remain one. But after such a good season, I have had some offers from England and Spain. You have to give that some consideration, so there will probably be some discussions with Liverpool.

'I have had a great two years at Anfield and enjoyed every minute. I have long since accepted that, with one or two notable exceptions, there is no such thing as an automatic choice at Liverpool.

'Unless you are Steven Gerrard, you are going to sit out one or two games, but that is no problem. Stevie is exceptional, and the rest of us accept that.

'The good thing is, I have been playing more, and I hope it continues that way. To be honest, it could be Real Madrid knocking on my door, and I would still rather stay at Liverpool four more years.'

Seems we have to be just as wary of Barca as well as Real.

I think Yossi will stay personally.

If the right offer comes in...

Then see ya.

Its a big complement to Rafa that Barca and Madrid want to nick our players,personally i can't see Yossi leaving.

We need Yossi. If he can bring his latter form into next season, he'll be one of our key players without a doubt.

Stay.

Its a big complement to Rafa that Barca and Madrid want to nick our players,personally i can't see Yossi leaving.

Why is it a compliment?

I mean, I see where you're coming from but there's no bigger club than Liverpool.

Why is it a compliment?

I mean, I see where you're coming from but there's no bigger club than Liverpool.

Agreed.

Yossi wont leave, West Ham offered him more money than Liverpool before. It was his dream to play for Liverpool.

Straight swap Yossi for Messi 

Straight swap Yossi for Messi 

I'd still say no funnily enough.

I don't know why, but I've just got the feeling Yossi is going to be sensational this season.

I'd still say no funnily enough.

I don't know why, but I've just got the feeling Yossi is going to be sensational this season.

Do you want me to take back that +1? 

Cos' I will! 

When we bought Benny, can anyone honestly say in two years we would have to be fending off offers from clubs such as Real and Barca?
What a pleasant surprise his value to us has been. Hoping this is nothing but usual summer talk.

Do you want me to take back that +1? 

Cos' I will! 

Well, we don't know what Messi thinks of Liverpool for a start - we also don't know how he'd adapt to the English game, or if he would at all.

And even if he did, who's to say he'd be as good as he is in Spain?

As crazy as all that sounds, Yossi has proven that he can create something out of nothing, and his close-ball control is second-to-none.

Well, we don't know what Messi thinks of Liverpool for a start - we also don't know how he'd adapt to the English game, or if he would at all.

And even if he did, who's to say he'd be as good as he is in Spain?

As crazy as all that sounds, Yossi has proven that he can create something out of nothing, and his close-ball control is second-to-none.

You just keep pushing it. 

You just keep pushing it. 

I just think Yossi has alot more to his game - even more than he's shown recently, and I want to see that.

I just think Yossi has alot more to his game - even more than he's shown recently, and I want to see that.

I agree, he was growing every week towards the end, I think barring injury he is going to keep growing the coming season.
And i also think part of his beauty is that because opposition are often busy making sure Torres and Gerrard are closed down, he is allowed that extra little bit of room and he is too good a player to allow that- and he punishes Messi shmessi, I'd take Benny any day

I just think Yossi has alot more to his game - even more than he's shown recently, and I want to see that.

I'm warning you!

I'm warning you!

Oh come on, I want to see the best of a player that plays for us - don't judge me too harshly

Incidentally, I don't mean alot more to his game than Messi, I mean alot more in general.

I'd still say no funnily enough.

I don't know why, but I've just got the feeling Yossi is going to be sensational this season.

Where'd you score from bud and how much is a pound?         

Yossi ha been vital to us at the latter part of the season and he can bring us a great spark of creativity and he has great ball control so I don't think we should sell he will be a very useful player in our title run-in next season . Really, what's everyone's problem can't they just lay off our players and not unsettle them ?  

I really hope he stays i think he has a massive future with us and this season he will bag 20+ goals

If they offer something like 12-15 million, would be tough to say no for a 29 year old. But with Silva looking more and more everyday like he's going to stay, i wouldnt go through with it unless other targets are available, and by that i mean better players.

I'd still say no funnily enough.

I don't know why, but I've just got the feeling Yossi is going to be sensational this season.

If he keeps his form up from last season, dont think i could give consent to transfer him, either. Hopefully that wasnt a flash in the pan and he keeps it up.

Yossi wont leave, West Ham offered him more money than Liverpool before. It was his dream to play for Liverpool.

It was his dream to play for us while he played at West Ham. Maybe if Barca come knocking then it'll be his dream to play for them. Money or not, if your at West Ham and Liverpool come for you then you'd say yes regardless.

Straight swap Yossi for Messi 

I'll have a pint of what you've been drinkin 

Rafa will say a huge NO

It doesn't happen everyday that Rafa get's a star for no money. Hell, if he was younger, you'd have another Sami.

I would take Messi. But I can't see this happen so I would stay with benny. He had a v.good run late in the season.

If we get the right money for him Id sell especially if it meant keeping the spine of our side and allowing us to sign someone like Silva.

I would take Messi. But I can't see this happen so I would stay with benny. He had a v.good run late in the season.

Messi on the right what about Kuyt are you mad.

Hahaha typical that people are suggesting straight swaps for Messi!

Seriously though if Ronaldo's 80 million then I would hate to think what Messi is. I suppose you could say that was just Madrid paying far too much though.

I didn't expect interest from Barca for Yossi to be honest! Great player though. I think he's important to our team so personally I'd like to see him stay I think but if were a great offer then I may have to think twice, not as if I'm making the all important decision though!

What would you lot think about Yossi + cash for Eto'o for example?

What would you lot think about Yossi + cash for Eto'o for example?

Not that i watch alot of spanish football, but if Yossi keeps up current form and improves maybe next season, would it be worth swapping for Eto'o? Would he really add that much to warrant the hassle of intergrating him into the system? As i said, no expert on Eto'o, ive seen him play a bit though and i don't know if id be keen for that move.

Question is how many games he will get there? Very few and he knows thats clearly

Question is how many games he will get there? Very few and he knows thats clearly

Very true, all you have to do is take a look at Hleb and Keita. They both moved last summer as renowned very good players and now act as bit part players. The same would certainly happen with Yossi. I don't think he'll be interested.

He was making noises not long ago about not wanting to sit on the bench at Anfield, and ours is nicer than theirs.

It is silly season remember?

If Rafa improves his contract a bit, he will be happy at Liverpool until he retire.

He's not going anywhere.

He's not going anywhere.

I like the cut of your jib.

Another four year contract and a wage increase Rafa.

Another four contract and a wage increase Rafa.

Four year contract - perhaps yes. Wage increase - not what is needed right now.

I'll tell you what Benayoun needs. A haircut and a few steaks. That's what Shanks would have done.

He`ll go to any team that offers one last big pay packet(bigger than his Liverpool pay packet).He`s 29.

If he wanted more money he wouldn't come to Liverpool, West Ham gave him more...

To all the people saying he'll be sensational next season, ,well IMO that depends greatly on two things:
1 - The form of other player such as Riera, Babel
2 - If we sign someone like a Silva

If we sign Silva or Riera and Babel have good seasons, do you really expect to see Benayoun much.

If we sign Silva or Riera and Babel have good seasons, do you really expect to see Benayoun much.

If that happen I'll be a happy fan, sorry about Yossi but happy.

Yossi has a better attitud than Babel a Riera together, and he scored more goals than Babel and Riera together.

I want Yossi to stay.This season he told us how good he is and I think we need him.

He'd just be another Hleb at Barcelona. A good player but never plays.

I think he should stay he has the face of a rat and scares the sh*t out off the opposition. Seriously tho Yossi is a very good player and he does scare defences as he has quick feet good vision and knows when to release to the ball he's a very effective squad member and could be the difference in games where teams park the bus Unless Rafa has an ace up his sleeve Giving us a Consistent World Class Right/Left Winger i would keep Yossi as he has all the attributes of a good squad member

Babel gone, Silva on the left, Riera and Yossi off the bench? Yes please. We lack any sort of creativity off the bench.

Babel gone, Silva on the left, Riera and Yossi off the bench? Yes please. We lack any sort of creativity off the bench.

Scares me letting babel go id send him out on loan for a year to a lesser club maybe Newcastle or some one of their ilk and see how progress's as babel has undoubted potential and ability and is a confidence player so to test the water id see how he performs playing for a team week in and week out.

As i said it scares me letting babel go as under his sulky moody exterior there is a world class player just waiting to burst onto the scene maybe he needs a run of games in his preferred position to help his confidence and bring it out of him. I would hate to sell him to another club then see him realise his full potential and become a world beater and end up as the one who got away.

How as this ended up in the "sticky" section?

How as this ended up in the "sticky" section?

Some one got way too sexually excited over Benayoun's rat face and blew their load all over the thread  ?

Unstickied, WTF happened?

Yossi signed an extension, we can close this thread.

Yossi signed an extension, we can close this thread.

Even though I'm darn sure he's staying, I'll wait until it's announced proper before locking the thread.

It is understood that, at 29, he feels there is one more big pay day to come and that an offer of contract talks at Anfield would be enough to banish any thoughts of moving on.

Benayoun is halfway through a four-year deal, and Benitez must decide whether to reward his improved form, and end uncertainty over his future, by presenting him with the long-term deal he is looking for.

Taken from the first article in the thread.

The new contract looks to of squashed any rumours of him leaving.

Even though I'm darn sure he's staying, I'll wait until it's announced proper before locking the thread.

Scratch that. The Echo is good enough for me.

Yossi Benayoun agrees new Liverpool FC deal
Jul 6 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

YOSSI BENAYOUN is set to become the latest Liverpool star to commit his future to the Reds – after the Israeli international agreed terms on a new Anfield contract.

Benayoun has two years remaining on his current deal but after enjoying his best campaign yet in a Liverpool shirt last season, boss Rafa Benitez was keen to reward the 29-year-old with a contract extension.

Talks have now been concluded successfully and Benayoun is set to sign a one-year extension which will see him remain with Liverpool until 2012.

With doubts continuing to surround the futures of central midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Benitez will be delighted to have retained the services of Benayoun, who moved to Anfield from West Ham United in a £5m transfer two years ago.

Promising youngsters Stephen Darby and Jay Spearing have also having agreed new three-year deals as Benitez moves swiftly to try and ensure the bulk of his current squad remains intact ahead of the coming season.

Although £16m Glen Johnson remains Liverpool’s one signing so far this summer, Benitez has retained the services of Reds stars Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt with all four having committed themselves to new long term contracts.

Benitez said: “We had to guarantee the future of the club first and then afterwards if you can improve then you must try to do so.

“This meant that the first thing we had to do this summer was to guarantee the futures of some of the players who are already here and we are happy that we have been able to do this in so many cases.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/07/06/yossi-benayoun-agrees-new-liverpool-fc-deal-100252-24084703/

Topic locked. I'll reopen if he changes his mind or it goes to pot.