Benayoun turned down Moscow millions to stay with Liverpool

Yossi Benayoun rejected an astonishing £3.5million signing-on fee and double your money offer from Spartak Moscow to stay with Liverpool.

The Israel captain, currently on around £50,000 a week at Anfield, was the subject of a lucrative offer from the wealthy Russian side believed to be worth around £100,000 a week but Benayoun made it clear he wanted to further his career with Liverpool.

Manchester City had tabled a £6m bid for Benayoun with further interest from Tottenham and West Ham during the transfer window but manager Rafael Benitez was reluctant to sell — despite the need to raise cash for new signings.

Benitez has been a fan of the 28-year-old since his days in Spain with Racing Santander and sees him as a vital member of his squad. And sources in Israel say Benayoun wanted to repay Benitez's faith with an upturn in his form this season.