Ramos Said To Be Targeting Ben Haim

According to The Sun newspaper, Spurs boss Juande Ramos is prepared to pay up to £8 million to secure the Israeli centre-half this month.

Ramos is described as "desperate for reinforcements in defence," while Be Haim is thought to be amenable to a switch after enduring a less than ecstatic first six months as a Chelsea player.

Ben Haim, 25, arrived at Stamford Bridge from Bolton Wanderers during the summer during Jose Mourinho's reign. But Chelsea’s £8.9million capture of Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic last week suggests that Ben Haim's first-team future at the Bridge will be limited.

Given that captain and fellow-centre-back John Terry is sidelined with a broken foot, Ben Haim was hoping to be given more first-team opportunities.

However, Chelsea manager Avram Grant, appears to have sent his compatriot Ben Haim a clear signal by moving for Ivanovic within hours of te transfer window opening.

Meanwhile, across London at White Hart Lane, Spurs boss Ramos is, not surprisingly, concentrating on trying to strengthen his suspect defence.

Given that Tottenham have shipped eight goals in their last three games, bringing in a reliable centre-back seems to be a priority.

Younes Kaboul's impact on the back line at Spurs has so far been more negative than positive following his summer transfer from Auxerre, and his defensive partner Michael Dawson does not appear to have convinced Ramos of his quality.

The club's top defender, captain Ledley King, played in Saturday’s 2-2 FA Cup draw against Reading, but is still tentatively feeling his way back to full fitness after a lengthy catalogue of injuries.

So a move by Spurs for Ben Haim could well be on the cards.