Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has rejected talk ofdefender Tal Ben Haim joining Chelsea.

Reports over the weekend suggested Chelsea had identified the Israeli skipper as a target when the transfer window opens in January.

Ben Haim joined Bolton from Maccabi Tel Aviv last summer and has been one of their most consistent performers this season.

Allardyce denied that Chelsea had asked about the availability about Ben Haim and insisted the central defender is going nowhere.

“Tal is a vital member of our first team and is not available for transfer,” Allardyce told the club’s official website.

“Chelsea have not engaged in any dialogue with us.”

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