Everton FC bid for Yossi Benayoun rumours rubbished

Jun 12 2008

Yossi Benayoun (158)

EVERTON today described reports that they are preparing a £3.5m bid for Yossi Benayoun as “fantasy”.

Speculation in some quarters suggested that David Moyes had identified the Liverpool midfielder to fill a slot in his engine room.

However, Everton officials were incredulous when Benayoun’s name was mentioned this morning and stressed that nothing could be further from the truth.

Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone and Michael Johnson of Manchester City remain Moyes’ top targets, as he seeks to find a replacement for Lee Carsley.

Sporting Lis-bon’s Joao Moutinho is also high on Moyes’ wish list and, according to reports in Portugal, the pocket dynamo could end up at Goodison Park on a one-year loan deal.

But, for the moment, it is highly unlikely that Everton will be doing any significant transfer business before the end of this month, as Moyes continues to weigh up his options.

Given the current financial climate, clubs are thinking twice about borrowing vast sums of money and that has led to the window being slower than normal.

The Blues, though, are mulling over a bid for Bristol City’s young defender Christian Ribeiro.

Ribeiro has represented Wales at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, and signed his first professional contract with Bristol City in December 2006 after coming through the youth system at the club.

City manager Gary Johnson would be reluctant to lose the 18-year-old, who impressed for the Robins when they faced Everton in the FA Youth Cup. He is yet to make a first team appearance at Ashton Gate.

Johnson insists that Everton have not yet been in touch about Ribeiro but that could soon change.

“I have heard the rumours but there has been no official approach from Everton as yet and until I receive a call from David Moyes I will treat these stories as nothing more than talk,” said Johnson.

“He’s 100 per cent here, he’s worked very hard, is very close to the first team, and has every chance of being in it next season. He’s waited patiently and now he'll look to have a good pre-season.

“Everything is speculation.”