Chelsea Fail To Meet Bolton's Defender Valuation

By Mark Heys
January 17 2007

Premiership holders Chelsea have confirmed that they have made an unsuccessful bid to lure Bolton defender Tal Ben-Haim to Stamford Bridge.

This morning reports where rife that the 24-year old would be on his way to the capital and even the players father and representative confirmed that a move to the Blues was close.

However, Jose Mourinho's side have failed to match Bolton's valuation of the player and the former Maccabi Tel Aviv man now seems likely to stay with the Wanderers until his contract expires in the summer.

A statement on Chelsea's official website read:

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that it has been in discussions with Bolton Wanderers for the transfer of Tal Ben-Haim in the January transfer window. These discussions have been unsuccessful and Ben-Haim will not be joining Chelsea FC in January"

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce also confirmed that he expects the versatile defender to stay with the club until the end of the season after failing to receive any acceptable offers.

"At the moment it looks like that Tal will be here for the rest of the season. We haven't had an acceptable offer from any football club. There have been a few clubs, who have shown an interest in him. Chelsea seem to be keen on him. If they want him they will have meet our valuation.

"We will only listen to acceptable offers in the next few days. If it goes beyond that we won't sell him in the last week of the transfer window. We have to replace Tal Ben Haim with another centre-half and if there's no one out there then he won't leave until the summer. "