Chelsea close on Ben Haim
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Chelsea look set to win the race to sign Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim.
The 25-year-old is out of contract at The Reebok Stadium and has a host of top clubs tracking him.
His former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has already confirmed his interest in luring him to St James' Park, but Chelsea now look to be leading the chase.
The Blues almost signed Ben Haim in January - but they could not agree terms with Bolton, but they now look set to succeed in landing him on a Bosman transfer.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has been quoted, confirming Ben Haim's arrival.
"Ben Haim will arrive, we will discuss his contract and finalise the last details and we hope that he will sign the contract by tomorrow [Thursday]," Kenyon is quoted in the Guardian.
Chelsea have been working steadily at bolstering their squad, but have been shedding their tag of 'big spenders' as all their new arrivals have cost them nothing with Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro both joining on free transfers.
Should Ben Haim sign then he is also likely to be joined by Alex, whom the club already all but own, from PSV Eindhoven.
Another player said to be interesting Jose Mourinho again, is Hertha Berlin's Marko Pantelic.
The Serbian striker, 28, could be landed for less than £3million - but a modest Pantelic is not shocked by Chelsea's interest.
"I am not surprised Chelsea are interested in me," he said.
"I have proved, both at Hertha Berlin and with the Serbia national team, that I can play at a high level and am good enough for top-tier clubs.
"The knowledge that Mourinho wants me is flattering." -
let newcastle get him. they need him more.
i don think ben haim will be blinded by money. but then again newcastle will try to match wadever chelsea are offering -
if he wants first team football, he really should choose newcastle instead.
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if money is the same.
then he have to choose between sitting on the bench but higher chance of silverware or playing regular but lower chance of silverware. -
Premiership - Ben Haim to complete Chelsea switch
Premiership - Chelsea will make defender Tal Ben Haim their third signing of the summer when the Bolton defender completes his imminent deal.
The 25-year-old Israel international is out of contract with Bolton Wanderers and will reject a similar offer from his old boss Sam Allardyce to hook up with him at Newcastle in favour of a move to London.
"Ben Haim will arrive, we will discuss his contract and finalise the last details and we are hopeful that he will sign the contract by tomorrow," Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon told The Guardian.
Ben Haim will become Chelsea's third signing of the summer, joining striker Claudio Pizzaro and midfielder Steve Sidwell, both arriving on free transfers from Bayern Munich and Reading respectively.
Jose Mourinho's dealings look set to end after he also signs defender Alex from PSV Eindhoven and another striker, possibly Hertha Berlin's Marko Pantelic. -
transfer completed ?
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Jose ah jose.. Why must snatch players??
Newcastle really needs him leh..
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Hijackers!
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i believe he will follow Big Sam
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Sam is really a good boss. i believe he will bring Newcastle to greater heights
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whats with snatching and hijacking? chelsea had interest in him since jan.
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Allardyce: Chelsea will sign Ben Haim
Allardyce told Newcastle's official website: "It's looking like Tal will be going to Chelsea, unfortunately.
"We have had a long, hard go, but I think the lure of the (former) champions has perhaps just pipped me at the post."
Allardyce identified the former Maccabi Tel Aviv player as one of his top targets as he looks to strengthen a defence which has proved the club's Achilles heel for a decade.
However, despite the offer of regular first-team football at St James' Park, something he may not be guaranteed at Stamford Bridge, Ben Haim looks to have opted for the Londoners.
Newcastle have other options, with Paris St Germain's David Rozehnal, Marseille's Habib Beye and Liverpool's Sami Hyypia among their remaining targets.
But Allardyce's knowledge of the Israeli's ability and character, their existing relationship and the fact he was available on a free transfer made him a hugely attractive proposition. -
just signed. i saw on skysports.
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Chelsea have completed the capture of Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim on a free transfer.
Ben Haim has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal with Jose Mourinho's men after passing a medical at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
The Israel international saw out his contract with The Trotters and has now finally completed a long-awaited move to The Blues.
Chelsea were keen to land the former Maccabi Tel Aviv man during the January transfer window but the switch collapsed.
Sammy Lee had hoped to hold onto Ben Haim for his first full season in charge of Bolton but the versatile stopper has opted for pastures new.
Former manager Sam Allardyce also wanted the 25-year-old but admitted defeat after learning he was in West London for talks.
Ben Haim has now wrapped up his transfer to Chelsea and has committed to the club on a contract until June 2011.
He will link up with the rest of Mourinho's squad for their pre-season tour of the United States next month.
"I feel fantastic to be part of that amazing club," Ben Haim told Chelsea TV. "Amazing fans and I'm looking forward to start.
"The first games in the Champions League, I am very excited about that.
"If you ask every player, they want to play for Chelsea, for that team. It is one of the best teams in the world so I'm very happy to be part of that."
Ben Haim becomes Chelsea's third summer signing after striker Claudio Pizarro, who joins from Bayern Munich, and Reading midfielder Steven Sidwell.