Kopstuff 1/6/10 – Benayoun Target for Chelsea? Inter to Swoop for Rafa?

Tuesday 1st June.

Benayoun in Chelsea switch? Inter in shock swoop for Rafa?

Fabio Capello has named his final World Cup squad, with Liverpool players Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Jamie Carragher preparing for the trip to South Africa. Gerrard is included despite taking a knock to his knee against Japan, although the Red’s captain is expected to recover in time for the match against the USA. Former Reds David James and Peter Crouch have also been handed their boarding cards, along with Emile Heskey and surprisingly, Stephen Warnock. No current or former Liverpool players are amongst the seven players who have missed out this time around.

News: One more Liverpool player who will be in South Africa is Martin Skrtel. The defender has made Slovakia’s twenty-three man squad, in what will be the countries World Cup debut.

News: …and he will be joined by fellow defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos. The big Greek has been included in the European Champions squad. Whether he’ll have to buy his own plane ticket is another story.

Rumour: TeamTalk reports that Liverpool and West Ham are amongst a number of clubs watching Real Madrid’s Ghanaian youngster, Daniel Opare. The full-back was injured for much of last season, and it is believed that Madrid are looking to loan him out for a year. Whilst Liverpool may be the highest profile club in the chase for the player, Opare may want more of a first team guarantee than the Liverpool management would be able to offer, making a move to the Hammers more likely.

Rumour: The Daily Mail, tiring of the Danny Wilson saga, turns its Anfield attentions to Reds midfielder Yossi Benayoun. Sportsmail reports that the 30 year old Israeli is a target for champions Chelsea, with the Stamford Bridge club willing to pay £10million for his services. Ironically, the sale of Benayoun to Chelsea could help in Rafa’s pursuit of Joe Cole whose contract with the Blues expires at the end of this month. Cole’s high wage demands were believed to have been a stumbling block, but if Cole were to be acquired on a free, the funds from the sale of Benayoun could be used as a signing on bonus for the England man.

Rumour: Picking up on yesterday’s quotes attributed to Inter President Massimo Moratti, the S*n has managed to spin a tale about a ‘sensational swoop’ for Reds boss Rafa Benitez. Evidence is provided by means of a dubious ‘unnamed source’, suggesting that yet another S*n reporter may have been eating too much cheese before bed…

Read yesterday’s news and rumours here.

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