Sam's mixed contract news
29 Dec 2006 - 10:44:06
Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce is confident that Kevin Davies will shortly pen a new long-term deal with the club but is less sure about Tal Ben-Haim's future at the Reebok Stadium.
Davies is close to inking a new three-year deal that will keep him with the Trotters until June 2010 but Ben-Haim, who is also out of contract at the end of this season, is stalling on confirming his future with the club.
Allardyce told the club's official website: "There was always a possibility that he (Davies) would go elsewhere - he's a quality player.
"But I'm glad to say that he'll put pen to paper on a new contract in the near future, securing his long-term future at the club. It would be the biggest boost to this club in a long time. He epitomises everything that Bolton Wanderers stands for.
"He's the ultimate professional and, from my point of view, it would be like signing a top-class striker - he's that important to us."
However, on Israel international Ben-Haim, Allardyce added: "His negotiations are delicate and very difficult and, at this moment in time, the situation doesn't look promising.
"Tal's position might cause a frenzied bidding war in January because he's a talented player. That may ultimately tempt us into letting him go. If not, he could go on a free at the end of the season.
"He's had four wonderful years at Bolton Wanderers and his value has sky-rocketed in the time he's spent in the Premier League.
"He's made a tremendous impact on the squad and it just goes to show what a quality player he is when he's regarded as one of the best central defenders in the league.
"Unfortunately, we can't stretch to the type of finances other clubs can command, so we might have to bite the bullet and see him leave in the summer on a free transfer.
"In my opinion, there's no point in releasing any player unless other clubs can meet our valuation. We could lose far more money letting him go in January if we were to miss out on a top-six finish at the end of the season."