Redknapp Hoping to Tie-Up Deal for Former Liverpool and Chelsea Midfielder

Harry Redknapp is hopeful that Yossi Benayoun will be prepared to accept a wage cut in order to make the move to Queens Park Rangers rather than Spanish side Malaga.

The former Liverpool midfielder has been without a club since leaving Chelsea in the summer and is currently assessing his options as he looks to find a new home.

Benayoun has been heavily linked with a move to QPR but he has yet to have a trial with the side but Redknapp believes that the 33-year-old would prefer to remain in London than move to Spain.

"I've always liked Benayoun as a player but it would be another wage on the wage bill," Redknapp told West London Sport. "If he was reasonable and it would be a reasonable deal he would be a good asset. It's something we'd look at.

"I haven't heard from Yossi yet though. I think he's got a couple of Spanish clubs who want him. If we wanted to do it I think he'd rather come back to London and play. We'll see what happens."

Benayoun will have been on a relatively high wage when playing for Liverpool and Chelsea, and reports suggest that he could receive as much as £65,000-a-week if he joins Malaga.

However, the Israel international is not sure whether to move to the Spanish club as he would not be able to play for them until January as they a full quota of non-EU players in their squad.

"Pini Zahavi [Benayoun's agent] is pressing me hard to sign for QPR but at the moment I'm inclined towards moving to Spain," said the former West Ham midfielder.

"However, things can change in one second. I also have an offer from Malaga and we are set to agree everything.

"The only thing that is bothering me is that I won't be able to play until January because they have their full quota of non-European players and I don't hold an EU passport."

QPR are keen to sign the vastly experienced midfielder after learning that their Argentinean star Alejandro Faurlin would likely miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

Benayoun would certainly bring plenty of experience to the west London club having played close to 150 games in his three year stay at Liverpool, whilst also playing 25 games for Arsenal just two seasons ago while on-loan at the club from Chelsea.