BOLTON Wanderers are willing to push the boat out to persuade Tal Ben Haim to stay at the Reebok.

The Israel international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has repeatedly been tipped for a move - possibly before the end of the month - with Chelsea believed to be leading the chase for his signature.

But his Bolton bosses are refusing to concede defeat in their efforts to get him to sign a new deal.

Sam Allardyce has already warned rival clubs they will not get his best defender on the cheap and now Phil Gartside has followed up by insisting everything is being done to convince Ben Haim his future lies with the Whites.

"We have been talking to Tal for quite a while," the chairman said. "We will make him an offer he cannot refuse."

However, it would require a sudden and significant breakthrough in negotiations that have been on the Reebok agenda for more than a year, if the 24-year-old Israeli was to agree a contract extension.

The lack of progress up to now has cast serious doubts over his Bolton future, leading to speculation that Wanderers might reluctantly sell him in the January transfer window or risk losing him for nothing in the summer.

Although the Chelsea link has revived year-old rumours that Ben Haim is wanted by Jose Mourinho, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv defender has also been touted for a move to Portsmouth and, more recently, Newcastle United.

But sources in the North-east suggest the Magpies are neither interested in Ben Haim nor Kevin Davies, whose contract also expires this summer and has still to agree a new deal, although in his case both sides are confident a settlement can be reached.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, are reported to have given Ivan Campo an ultimatum.

The Spanish club, desperate to sign the Wanderers' midfield ace during this month's transfer window, have indicated they want the matter sorted by next week.

Reports in Spain suggest Wanderers are asking £4 million for the former Real Madrid man who still has 18 months to run on his current contract.

Allardyce has made it clear his priority this month is to fend off approaches for key members of his high-flying squad but he is still hoping to strengthen his hand for the push for Europe in the second half of the season. And Gartside has not ruled out a move.

"We've always said that, when there's been a window, we've always gone out and done some business," the chairman added.

"This year will be no different. We are not under the same pressure and the biggest problem we've got is finding the right quality. That's Sam's statement and not mine. He doesn't want to go out and bring somebody in that is not going to improve the team."