New Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has wasted no time in declaring his intentions in the transfer market. Big Sam is reportedly in talks with out of contract Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim. The player has snubbed Tottenham and Chelsea with the hope of following his old manager to Tyneside. The player turned down a £25,000 a week deal at Bolton and is now out of contract. He has returned to his home in Israel to get married during the summer break but is expected to seal his free transfer to the Magpies within the next couple of weeks.

Big Sam let 3 defenders at Newcastle United go this week and Ben Haim will be the first replacement. Newcastle’s woeful form in the last couple of seasons has been a result of shocking defending following big injuries to key attacking players. However, Newcastle have always believed that the best form of defence is attack and have squandered millions on attacking players including Martins and Owen without bolstering defensive capabilities.

Allardyce is also said to be pursuing Mark Viduka who is also currently out of contract. While he is not signing top names he is saving his transfer war chest and making good on his reputation as a manager by approaching out of contract players.