Yossi Benayoun may be about to move to Upton Park again as the Chelsea midfielder is set to rejoin West Ham United for the third time in his career, according to reports.

Soft spot

Having played for the Hammers from 2005 to 2007 and again on loan earlier this season, manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he would jump at the opportunity to bring the 32-year-old back to the club he clearly has a soft spot for – and for free would just be an added bonus.

The Israel international managed only six appearances for West Ham during his loan spell as injuries prevented him from featuring more.

However, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a permanent deal would give him more of an opportunity to help their English Premier League campaign next year.

“There are lots of names on our list from our head of recruitment and there will be lots of people chasing those players who are not going to cost anything transfer-fee wise,” said Allardyce, as reported by Goal.com.

“He will be on our list probably, but we will wait and see when the time comes around.”

Regular first-team action

Benayoun joined the Hammers in 2005 from Racing Santander and cost only £2.5million.

He was able to become a regular in the line-up, but his current time at Chelsea – who meet West Ham in a London derby tomorrow – since 2010, has found him fall behind the superstar names at Stamford Bridge, and he spent last season on loan at Arsenal.