Reports on Monday have suggested West Ham United are considering using Yossi Benayoun in a cash plus player deal for Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy, apart from a straight swoop for Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe.

The Hammers, who have been told Everton’s Andy Johnson was not for sale earlier, are keen to reinforce their attack and the Daily Mirror has claimed that Alan Curbishley has concentrated his energies on a twin swoop.

Former Hammer Defoe had been largely used in substitute appearances at Spurs last season with Martin Jol giving preference to the striker partnership of Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov.

Wales international captain Bellamy, meanwhile, finds himself surrounded by speculations that he will be offloaded as Rafa Benitez prepares to revamp the Reds bringing in new faces.

Backed fully by owner Eggert Magnusson, West Ham are looking to sign more big names this summer, having already bagged Scott Parker from Newcastle United.

And with Benitez rating Bellamy at a reported 13million pounds, the east London side are reportedly contemplating using Israel midfielder Benayoun, who is said to be close to signing a new five-year deal at Upton Park, to net the former Newcastle and Blackburn hit-man.