Chelsea are reportedly ready to finally grant Jose Mourinho's
request of signing a new defender.
Mourinho is desperately looking to bolster his rearguard after
losing John Terry and Khalid Boulahrouz to injury over the last few
weeks.
Terry, who is still a couple of weeks away from returning to
action, has been sorely missed in the Chelsea defence with Michael
Essien and Paulo Ferreira being used as makeshift centre backs in
the last few games.
Mourinho and the Chelsea board are thought to be at loggerheads
over the need for reinforcements with Roman Abramovich believed to
be unwilling to splash out big on a new defender.
The Portuguese tactician revealed after last week's Carling Cup
draw with Wycombe that no money was being made available to bring
in new players to ease his side's defensive problems.
However, a compromise is thought to have been reached between
Mourinho and Chelsea's powerbrokers.
Manchester City's Micah Richards has been continually linked with a
move to Stamford Bridge, but Mourinho is adamant he will not be
held to ransom for any transfer target with City believed to be
looking for around £18million for the England defender.
Chelsea are now ready to turn their attentions to Bolton defender
Tal Ben Haim who is a cheaper option than Richards.
Ben Haim's future at Bolton is uncertain with his current contract
expiring in the summer and no new deal being agreed as yet.
The Israeli international could leave for free at the end of the
season, but Bolton could be prepared to do business this month if
Chelsea offer them a suitable fee.