Chelsea close in on Benayoun

(GSM) – Chelsea are set to sign Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool.

The Daily Mail reports that the Premier League champions have offered £6.5million for the Israeli international.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was reluctant to sell Benayoun to Chelsea for anything less than £10m and had a £7.5m offer on the table from CSKA Moscow.

However, the 30-year-old midfielder refused to move to Russia and had his heart set on a move to the Blues. Benayoun is currently on holiday in his native country but wants to fly to London later this week to complete the formalities and undergo a medical before signing a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The former West Ham player, who signed a two year contract extension at Liverpool last year, is expected to be offered around £70,000 a week.