Defender Could Stay To See Out Season

Last updated : 19 January 2007 By Matt Bottom
Premiership champions Chelsea had been in negotiations to sign the Israeli defender, whose contract runs out in six months' time, during the January transfer window but they pulled out on Wednesday.

"At the moment, it looks like Ben Haim will be here for the rest of the season," said the Wanderers boss. "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."

Meanwhile, new Blackburn Rovers signing David Dunn admits he was "ten minutes" from joining Bolton this week.

Instead, he changed his mind after Blackburn were given permission to speak to him, leaving manager Sam Allardyce disappointed.

Dunn said: "I was about 10 minutes from signing and then heard about Blackburn. I have spoken to Sam on the phone and can understand his disappointment.

"I am sure he knew that as soon as Blackburn came in there was only one place I was going to go.

"I am really happy to come back to the club I have always supported."