Newcastle United can sign Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim for £2 million.

The Mirror says Ben Haim, whom Sam Allardyce signed when at Bolton, is seen as the man to solve Toon's defensive problems.

Chelsea are looking for around £2million for the well-respected Ben Haim, whom they signed for nothing last summer.

He will not be allowed to leave on loan despite the arrival of Serbian Branislav Ivanovic, who will push him further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

It is a blow to under-pressure Allardyce, who has been given little money to spend in January transfer window.