Benayoun Joins Babel In Wanting Anfield Exit

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Israeli International Yossi Benayoun has joined Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel in voicing his discontent about limited opportunities at the Premier League club, with the former West Ham United player revealing that he will assess his situation at the Merseyside club in January or at the end of the season.

Benayoun was unveiled at Anfield on the same day as Babel last summer, but like the Dutchman, who declared that he wished to return to former club Ajax on loan is unhappy at having to settle for a place on the bench under Reds boss Rafa Benitez in the Premiership this season.

While 28-year-old Benayoun understands that it is hard for Benitez to drop anyone from a Liverpool side that is currently top of the Premier League and is prepared to be patient. Benayoun is also, having to consider if his long-term future is at Anfield or whether it lies elsewhere.

Benayoun told the Sun: “The boss had a chat with me a couple of weeks ago after stuff appeared in the newspapers about my future.

“I didn't ask for any talks - he said he wanted to speak to me about it and he just told me to stay calm, because I would get my chances in the team.

“We agreed it was important now for me to put any of my personal feelings to one side and concentrate on trying to keep us at the top of the table.

“There will be time for me to think about my situation in January or at the end of the season.

“So for now I'm happy to put that behind me and focus on doing my bit for the team. The problem for me is the manager is not rotating as much as he used to.

“It is the same 11 players every week, and they are doing so well, so no one can really complain.

“I have to be patient, but I'm still not sure whether, in the long term, my future will be here.”

Spurs Weigh Up January Bid For Barca Prodigy?

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly weighing up a bid for Barcelona prodigy Gai Assulin when the transfer window reopens in January after reports in Spain have suggested that the Israeli International is ready to quit the Nou Camp.

17-year-old Assulin is believed to be frustrated at his progression at Barca, with passport problems preventing the Israeli from following Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola from the B Team at the Catalan club into the senior side at the Nou Camp.

Assulin has a £15million buyout clause inserted in the three-year deal he signed this summer with the Blaugrana, but signed the deal on the presumption that he would be part of the Barca senior set-up this season and should be allowed to leave the La Liga giants for considerably less in January.

The attacking-midfielder’s situation at Barcelona has alerted new Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who is understood to be considering a January move to bring Assulin to White Hart Lane.

Assulin has been at the La Liga side since 2003, with the young starlet coming through the Barca youth set-up to score 10 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona Atletic last season in helping them win the league title. With his performances attracting the interest of Arsenal, Man United and AC Milan this summer, who could decide to reignite their interest in the midfielder. Assulin has played once for the Barca first-team when he came on a a substitute in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya against Girona in September 2007.

However, despite the interest of several of Europe’s top sides, Spurs could hold the key, with Assulin sharing the same agent as former team-mate and friend Giovanni Dos Santos, Pini Zahavi, who was behind the transfer of Giovanni to the North London club this summer from Barca.

Six Premier League Clubs Chasing Barcelona Prodigy Assulin?

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No fewer than six Premier League clubs could be in the hunt to sign Barcelona prodigy Gai Assulin when the transfer window reopens in January, with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Manchester United and Manchester City along with AC Milan all reportedly interested in the young attacking midfielder.

17-year-old Assulin is believed to be frustrated at his progression at Barca, with passport problems preventing the Israeli International from following Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola from the B Team at the Catalan club into the senior side at the Nou Camp.

Assulin has been at the La Liga side since 2003, with the young starlet coming through the Blaugrana youth set-up to score 10 goals in 28 appearances for Barcelona Atletic last season in helping them win the league title. With his performances attracting the interest of Arsenal, Man United and AC Milan this summer, who could decide to reignite their interest in the midfielder. Assulin has played once for the Barca first-team when he came on a a substitute in the semi-final of the Copa Catalunya against Girona in September 2007.

Spurs along with City, Chelsea and Pompey are all believed to be monitoring the situation at the Nou Camp, with Assulin having the same agent as Giovanni Dos Santos, Pini Zahavi, who was behind the transfer of Mexican Giovanni’s summer move to White Hart Lane.

However, with Assulin considered one of the future stars of Spanish football there will no shortage of suitors for the young Israeli should he become available in January.