Benayoun reveals he spoke to Liverpool FC before joining Arsenal FC

Visit Save For Later

by Crunch Sports Staff

Posted

Yossi Benayoun (credit: Wikipedia)

Yossi Benayoun has revealed that he held talks with former club Liverpool before deciding to join Arsenal on loan from Chelsea.

The Israel international left Anfield to join Chelsea just over twelve months ago, but failed to really make an impression at Stamford Bridge, largely due to injuries.

The Merseysiders were keen on bringing the midfielder back to the club for a second spell, but Benayoun has revealed that he decided against a return after learning of Arsenal's interest.

"I had a few good options from clubs in England and outside," said the 31-year-old.

"There was a few talks with Liverpool. A few teams but as soon as I heard about Arsenal my mind was made up."

Benayoun's move to the Emirates was completed just hours before the summer transfer window closed on August 31st and he continued: "The media thought it was dramatic, but I knew it would go to the last day.

"There was an agreement between me and Chelsea that we would wait until then because they wanted to bring in another player - either Meireles or Modric.

"I first heard about the interest from Arsenal eight days before the end of the window and when I knew they wanted me it was an easy choice.

"Deadline day was calm for me. I flew in from Israel in the morning, from the national team, and knew it was going to happen."

Like Like

All Soccer News

Recent Soccer Articles

AS Monaco keen on Liverpool FC target Christian Eriksen - report
Monaco have reportedly joined the race to sign Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen, who has been linked with Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. Eriksen, who is out of contract next summer, has been linked with a number of top clubs from across Europe over the past few months including Manchester United ...
Gareth Bale 'perfect' for Real Madrid CF - Luka Modric
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale would be perfect for Real Madrid, according to midfielder Luka Modric. Bale has been linked with Real and rivals Barcelona for some time, and earlier this year admitted he is interested in playing in La Liga at some point in the future. Recent reports have claimed...
Man Utd target Thiago Alcantara set for FC Barcelona exit - report
Manchester United target Thiago Alcantara is reportedly ready to quit Barcelona this summer.Alcantara has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time, with Arsenal having monitored his progress over the past couple of years, while last month it was reported that Premier League champ...
Chelsea FC target Edinson Cavani keen on Real Madrid CF move
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, has once again hinted that he is keen on signing for Real Madrid this summer. Cavani has been on Chelsea and Manchester City's radars for some time, but Real are believed to be considering a bid for the Uruguay international as an alternative option to his compatriot,...
Arsenal FC target Nani says 'nothing is certain' at Man Utd
Nani insists he is yet to make a decision about his future with Manchester United after being linked with a move to Arsenal. Nani, who is out of contract at the end of next season, is widely expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, with the Premier League champions' move for Wilfried Zaha seen a...
Liverpool FC bid for Luis Alberto confirmed by Sevilla FC
Liverpool have made a bid for striker Luis Alberto, Sevilla have confirmed. And Sevilla's director of football Ramon Verdejo, has also revealed that Aston Villa have made a move for defender Antonio Luna. 20-year-old Alberto spent last season on loan at Barcelona B where he scored 11 goals in 38 ga...
Arsenal FC fixtures - Arsene Wenger and AFC start season against Aston Villa, Fulham FC
Arsenal will kick off their 2013/14 Premier League campaign at home to Aston Villa on August 17th. Arsene Wenger's side, who are out to end their eight-year trophy drought, will be looking to take six points from their opening two games as they make the short journey to Fulham a week later. The Gun...
Yaya Sanogo reveals Arsenal FC move is due to Arsene Wenger influence
Yaya Sanogo has revealed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger led to him deciding on a move to Emirates Stadium. Wenger recently revealed that a deal for 20-year-old Sanogo was close, and the forward is expected to complete his move to Arsenal from Auxerre at the end of this month. "Rudi Garcia [then...
Liverpool FC target Alex Pearce admits playing in the Premiership is his 'main aim'
Reading defender Alex Pearce has admitted that his "main aim" is to be back in the Premier League as he continues to be linked with Liverpool. Pearce is out of contract at the end of the month, and reports earlier this year suggested Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had seen him as a long-term rep...

Recent Articles

Royal Ascot fixtures and racecard for Thursday, June 20th 2013
The 2013 Royal Ascot meeting continues today, with six more races scheduled to take place this afternoon on Ladies Day, including the Gold Cup. This year's renewal looks wide open but one horse that has been attracting plenty of attention in the last few days is the Queen's Estimate, who was an imp...
Chelsea FC target Isco won't join Real Madrid CF or Man City on the cheap insist Malaga CF
Malaga insist Isco, who has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid, will not be sold on the cheap. Isco has been linked with a move to England on a number of occasions over the past eighteen months, with Chelsea having shown interest in the playmmaker for some time, ...
Man Utd goalkeeper David De Gea wants Thiago Alcantara to join him at Old Trafford
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has sent a "come and join me" plea to Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.Alcantara, who scored a hat-trick in Spain's 4-2 win over Italy in the European Under-21 Championship final on Tuesday night, has been linked with a move to the Premier League for s...
Liverpool FC yet to bid for Henrikh Mkhitaryan but Shakhtar will listen to offers
Shakhtar Donetsk insist Liverpool are yet to table a bid for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but chief executive Sergei Palkin concedes he is willing to listen to offers for the midfielder. Reports in recent days have suggested Liverpool are closing in on Mkhitaryan as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his s...
Thiago to Man Utd? Alberto to Liverpool FC? Torres to quit Chelsea FC? Wednesday's transfer round-up
Wednesday's round up of the top transfer stories from the past 24 hours... - Manchester United target Thiago Alcantara is ready to quit Barcelona this summer, according to . - Liverpool have made a bid for striker Luis Alberto, Sevilla have confirmed to their official TV channel, . - Kevi...
Wimbledon 2013 - Top 5 reasons why Rafael Nadal should have received a top four seeding for Wimbledon
The seedings for Wimbledon 2013 have been announced and Rafael Nadal hasn't made the cut for the top four. The reason for this is that Rafa made an early exit last year and this has held him back from overtaking David Ferrer following the guidelines set by the Wimbledon ranking formula. Although Wi...
ICC Champions Trophy 2013 match preview - India vs. Sri Lanka (Thursday 10:30 BST)
Sri Lanka take on on Thursday in the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2013 at Cardiff (10:30 BST start). It's been an excellent journey for India to make it to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy for the first time since sharing the title with Sri Lanka in 2002. Following that win, Ind...
Borussia Dortmund insist Man Utd target Robert Lewandowski will 'definitely' stay at the club
Robert Lewandowski, who continues to be linked with the likes of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, will not be sold this summer, insist Borussia Dortmund. Lewandowski is out of contract in June 2014 and is widely expected to leave the Champions League finalists this summer, with one of ...
Man Utd target Cesc Fabregas insists he has not received any offers
Cesc Fabregas, who has been linked with Manchester United as well as former club Arsenal in recent weeks, insists he has not received any offers from clubs looking to lure him away from Barcelona this summer. Fabregas left Arsenal to return to boyhood club Barca two years ago, but has struggled to ...