Old boy linked with shock Hammers return

Yossi Benayoun is being linked with a surprise return to West Ham from Liverpool who need to raise funds to strengthen their squad.

The Israel international, who was originally signed for West Ham by former boss Alan Pardew in a £2.5million deal from Spanish side Racing Santander in August 2005, has endured a difficult time at Liverpool after joining them last summer having failed to hold down a first-team place.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez's admission this week that he must sell some of his current squad before he can bring anymore new players in has resulted in Benayoun being tipped as one of several players to be up for grabs. And it is being speculated that Hammers boss Alan Curbishley will look to take him back to Upton Park.

The Hammers have only signed Icelandic star Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson and Swiss utility man Valon Behrami this summer, while losing Nolberto Solano, who was released at the end of the season. Therefore a move for Benayoun would bolster the midfield options and go down well with fans, who held the playmaker in high esteem during his two-season stint in east London.

If Curbishley does plan a raid for Benayoun he will need to act quickly because Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is understood to be weighing up a £6million swoop for the player.