Express & Star

West Brom back on the trail of Yossi Benayoun

Published
Last updated

West Brom are on the trail of playmaker Yossi Benayoun as their summer transfer plans begin to take shape.

more

The Baggies have been in touch with Benayoun, who is now available on a free transfer, to register their interest in the flair player who could add further options to Steve Clarke's midfield.

Benayoun, the former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham midfielder, can afford to be picky about his options having just finished a three-year £90,000 a week contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Israel international has since been weighing up his options. He would prefer to extend his stay in the Premier League into a ninth season.

But there are reports of interest from various points on the football compass, including Spain, Italy and the United States. Championship Reading also want the 33-year-old.

It leaves Benayoun's agent, Ronen Katzev, to suggest his man will make a decision in the next fortnight.

Katzev said: "West Brom have registered their interest and now we are just waiting to see what other options are available.

"We have been negotiating with another club in the Premier League and clubs in Germany and Spain, so Yossi will have to make a decision very soon.

"He has been playing in England for a long time now so it has become like a second home to him."

West Brom were interested in taking Benayoun on a short-term deal in January when an injury-riddled loan to West Ham ended, but a deal failed to materialise.

The Baggies are more cool on reports continuing to name them among clubs interested in Birmingham winger Nathan Redmond.

Norwich, Swansea and Fulham have all tabled concrete £2million offers for the winger, as Blues' crisis-hit ownership eye another much-needed pay-load.

But West Brom insist that despite persistent reports linking them to the player they will not be joining a scramble for his services.

Equally, the club has firmly distanced itself from reports in the last 24 hours involving free-market defender Danny Simpson, released by Newcastle, and Nacional's Portuguese winger Daniel Candeias.