Tal Ben Haim flew to England yesterday, hoping to become Israel's highest-paid soccer player ever. Three days before his wedding on Sunday, Ben Haim could sign a contract with Chelsea that would pay him an estimated 60,000 pounds sterling per week. Agent Pini Zahavi spoke to Chelsea's management, and they told him: "Come over and sign."

If there are not any last-minute surprises, the deal will be done this morning, and Ben Haim will become one of the Blues. The Israeli contingent at Chelsea, which already includes Ben Sahar, is expected to grow even bigger as former national team coach Avraham Grant is set to join the training staff.

Newcastle is still hoping to grab Ben Haim by promising him that he would be a regular starter, which he would not be at Chelsea, where Ben Haim would have to fight for a spot against John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, and Alex. Coach Sam Allardyce is hoping that this will persuade Ben Haim to sign with the Magpies.

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In addition to the salary, which would be difficult for Newcastle to match, there is also a professional consideration. "Tal wants to join Chelsea not just for the money, but also because it would be a challenge for him," said a source close to Ben Haim yesterday.

According to reports on English Web sites, Chelsea sped up its negotiations with Ben Haim after Allardyce announced that he wanted to sign Ben Haim before his wedding as a "gift."

Liverpool offer for Benayoun

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's interest in Yossi Benayoun became official yesterday when the Champions League runner-up made an offer to West Ham for the national team captain. Liverpool offered three million pounds for Benayoun, but West Ham turned it down.

Benayoun has another two years on his contract with the Hammers, who have already offered him a new contract, as yet unsigned, that would increase his salary to 50,000 pounds per week.

West Ham coach Alan Curbishley and club CEO Eggert Magnusson are putting pressure on Benayoun, but he is waiting to see what develops at Liverpool.

Liverpool is not offering to pay Benayoun as much as he would earn under the new contract at West Ham, plus he would have to fight to be a regular starter. Curbishley has promised Benayoun that he would be West Ham's leading player.