Chelsea miss out on Ben Haim deal
Ben Haim will be able to move for free in the summer
Chelsea have failed in their bid to sign centre-back Tal Ben Haim
from rival Premiership club Bolton.
The Blues' weakness at the back has been exposed in John Terry's
absence and they wanted Ben Haim as cover.
But they said in a statement: "Chelsea can confirm that it has been
in discussions with Bolton Wanderers for the transfer of Tal Ben
Haim.
"These discussions have been unsuccessful and Ben Haim will not be
joining Chelsea in January."
Chelsea are believed to have bid £2m for the Israeli defender,
whose contract runs out during the summer and the fee appears to
have been the stumbling block.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said: "At the moment it looks like he
will be here for the rest of the season.
"We have not had an acceptable offer from any club at the
moment.
"Unless that changes in the next few days we won't be accepting
anything, probably going into next week, because whatever comes in
that week means we would have no time to go out and spend that
money on somebody else."
