Benayoun 'no' to £50k a week

The shock was revealed on the day West Ham received a £7million bid from Aston Villa for Nigel Reo-Coker. Manager Curbishley had believed that Benayoun would remain at Upton Park after they preserved their Premiership status.

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Going: Harewood (left) and Benayoun (right)

The Israel midfielder is a firm favourite at the club, but he believes he can play for a team competing in the top four of the Premiership, despite the Hammers being prepared to triple his £18,000-a-week salary.

However, Curbishley will refine a squad who narrowly escaped relegation.

Marlon Harewood was told yesterday he could leave, with Everton striker Andy Johnson wanted as a replacement.

Curbishley will start the bidding for the England striker at around £13m, but Everton will listen only if they increase their offer to around £20m.

England Under 21 skipper Reo-Coker, on duty last night against Slovakia, is expected to quit Upton Park after Villa manager Martin O'Neill formalised his interest.

The midfielder has been a long-time O'Neill target and his arrival at Villa will start a flurry of activity funded by billionaire owner Randy Lerner.

Reo-Coker fell out of favour with fans during West Ham's horrendous start to last season, and Scott Parker's arrival has pushed him out of the picture.

Unconfirmed reports from Scotland suggest O'Neill also wants to sign midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura from his old club Celtic.

Lerner is determined to make Villa known internationally and the capture of the Japan midfielder would have wide appeal in the Far East.

However, manager Gordon Strachan would resist any move.