Reds agree Benayoun fee
Liverpool are closing in on Yossi Benayoun after agreeing a fee with West Ham for the Israel midfielder.
The Anfield club have also been given permission to talk to Ajax winger Ryan Babel.
Benayoun rejected a new contract at Upton Park while Dutchman Babel was one of the stars of the recent European Under-21 Championship.
Liverpool have already stated their ambition this summer by signing strikers Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin.
Benayoun and Babel will increase manager Rafael Benitez's creative options in midfield.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "We've agreed the fee with West Ham for Yossi Benayoun.
"We're not quite there with Ryan Babel yet but we've now been given permission by Ajax to talk to the player.
"We hope to reach an agreement with Ajax very shortly."
