Benitez to seal double transfer

Jul 11 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Footballer Yossi Benayoun in action for West Ham _158

THE latest piece of Rafael Benitez’s summer squad rebuilding fell into place last night when Yossi Benayoun completed a £5million move to Liverpool.

And the Anfield club are expected to make it a transfer double in the next 24 hours by finalising a £12m move for Ajax starlet Ryan Babel.

Talks over Benayoun appeared to have reached stalemate yesterday as his club West Ham United stuck by their £6m valuation and Liverpool refused to increase their £5m bid.

However, the Hammers have now accepted Liverpool’s offer for the 27-year-old Israeli midfielder, although with add-ons that fee could rise depending on Benayoun’s achievements at Anfield.

Benitez has tracked the attacking midfielder since the end of the season, with Benayoun likely to be considered a replacement for the departed Luis Garcia.

And Benayoun will almost certainly be joined today by Dutch youngster Babel, with Liverpool holding further talks with Ajax over the transfer of the 20-year-old after tabling an offer worth £12m.

Ajax have been holding out for nearer £13.5m, but Liverpool expect an agreement to be reached today that would see Babel make the switch to the Premier League.

Babel, who starred for Holland in the recent European Under-21 Championships and has privately set his heart on a move to Anfield, yesterday revealed his delight at Liverpool’s interest.

“I had heard that there were some stories on the internet but that happens quite often,” said Babel. “This (Liverpool’s interest) is serious news to me.

“I haven’t thought about a transfer for a minute, I will do that soon though. That such a big club is interested is of course very nice.”

With club record signing Fernando Torres having arrived last Thursday, Benitez’s spending is now poised to pass the £35m barrier inside a week as he steps up his efforts to build a squad capable of launching a realistic championship challenge.

The Liverpool manager recouped a significant chunk of that outlay yesterday when Craig Bellamy completed his £7.5m move to West Ham.

The Wales international scored nine goals in 42 appearances during his sole season at Anfield after signing for £6m from Blackburn Rovers last summer.

The deal could eventually be worth up to £9m for Liverpool should Bellamy prove a success at Upton Park.