Manchester City set to beat Spurs and Pompey for signature of Ben Haim

13 April 2012

Manchester City are close to signing Chelsea misfit Tal Ben Haim, despite competition from Tottenham and Portsmouth.


It is understood City have been in talks with Chelsea and the 26-year-old central defender over a £5m switch to Eastlands over the past few days.

City boss Mark Hughes wants competition for places at the back as he looks to build a solid foundation in his squad and feels Ben Haim will provide a top class alternative to Richard Dunne and Micah Richards.

On defensive duty: Chelsea's Tal Ben Haim competes with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (right)

Although Tottenham and Portsmouth have also been in touch, a source close to the deal told Sportsmail last night that City are clear favourites to sign the Israeli international.


Ben Haim only left Bolton for Stamford Bridge last summer but had an awful time at Chelsea, playing only 13 times and being fined two weeks' wages after a newspaper attack on coach Avram Grant in May.

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