Ben Haim signals Bolton departure
Sarah Rodriguez
Published Apr 11, 2026
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LONDON, England -- Tal Ben Haim, a reported transfer target for Chelsea, has refused to sign a new contract at Bolton and his manager Sam Allardyce is resigned to losing the Israeli international defender at the end of the season.
Allardyce has been unable to persuade the versatile 24-year-old to sign a new deal, despite Bolton's performances this season which have made them contenders for a Champions League spot next season.
"He won't sign a contract," Allardyce said Thursday. "It is a great shame it has gone beyond that now and we will just have to wait and see what will happen.
"I don't think he'll move this month. He is likely to see out his contract and he'll be off and away in the summer."
Ben Haim would seem a natural target for Premier League champions Chelsea who have problems in central defense in the continued absence of captain John Terry through injury and after the sale of William Gallas to Arsenal.
"He is an ambitious lad and even though we have a vibrant ambition ourselves it seems there are clubs bigger than us who are keen on signing him," added Allardyce.
