Benayoun linked with Chelsea

Paris - Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is heading for Chelsea on a four-year-contract worth six million pounds, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Anfield have yet to confirm an approach for the 30-year-old Israel captain, but the Merseysiders are reportedly resigned to his departure.

Benayoun signed an improved contract only last year with Liverpool but even before the departure of manager Rafael Benitez earlier this month he had indicated he wanted to leave.

According to news reports Chelsea see Benayoun as a replacement for England international Joe Cole, whose departure from Stamford Bridge was confirmed when the two parties failed to agree terms on a new contract after his current deal expired.

Benayoun has enjoyed some success at Liverpool since joining for five million pounds in July 2007 from West Ham but is understood to have fallen out with former boss Benitez last season.

According to the Israeli Sport 5 website, cited by the Guardian newspaper, Benayoun has finalised personal terms with the Premier League champions, but the move is far from completed.

Chelsea, it is believed, do not want to spend more than four million pounds on the player while Liverpool want closer to 10 million pounds.

Liverpool are currently without a manager following Benitez's exit although Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been linked with the vacancy at Anfield.