City set sights on Ben Haim
10 Jul 2008 - 08:33:29
Manchester City are reportedly closing in on signing out-of-favour Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim.
The Israel international started just ten games in the Premier League for the Blues last season following his arrival on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers in June.
The 26-year-old is behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex in the pecking order and has been linked with a £5million move to Eastlands.
Meanwhile, City are poised to end Bernardo Corradi's unhappy two-year spell at the club by allowing the Italian striker to join Reggina.
The 32-year-old hitman spent last season on loan in Serie A with Parma after struggling to settle in England following his arrival in July 2006.
Elsewhere, deputy chairman John Wardle has stepped down from the board at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The former chairman had been associated with the club for 11 years but stepped aside following Thaksin Shinawatra's takeover last summer.
"This has not been an easy decision to make as I have enjoyed every minute of my time at Manchester City in whatever role I have been asked to do," he told the club's official website.
"I am proud of the fact that during my time as chairman, we have never dropped out of the top-flight and that we achieved the stability that the club and its fans had been craving for so long.
"It was for this reason that I took the necessary step of selling the club last year, as I believed we had taken Manchester City as far as it could go.
"We had a wonderful stadium, top-class training facilities and a fantastic academy system, however it was obvious that further investment was needed.
"Now, with all these things in place and together with Dr Thaksin's investment, I truly believe that the club is set up for a very positive future.
"We have one of the brightest managers in the game and a great crop of exciting players."