Ben Haim in Pompey quit vow

Tal Ben Haim will leave Pompey this summer.

That is the pledge from his agent, Pini Zahavi, following the Blues’ relegation.

The Israeli international has another 12 months remaining on his contract.

It is understood that is worth close to £2m in wages.

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Ben Haim, however, has no intention of playing League One football.

Instead, Zahavi insists there is interest from clubs in taking the 30-year-old defender.

It remains to be seen whether the Blues would have to engineer his exit through a mutual consent agreement.

Regardless, ‘super agent’ Zahavi is adamant he will depart in the close season.

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Ben Haim’s departure would be a massive boost as Pompey look to slash their soaring wage bill.

His reported weekly wage of £36,000 is also a potential stumbling block to attracting new owners.

The former Bolton man has been a controversial figure throughout his time at Fratton Park.

He angered fans on Saturday after snubbing the players’ lap of appreciation following the defeat to Derby.

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Despite being present at the game, he has also been accused of refusing to sign autographs for youngsters.

Now, according to Zahavi, Ben Haim is set to go.

He said: ‘Tal will not play in League One next season.

‘There is interest in him from other clubs.

‘We are looking and when there is something to announce I will announce it.

‘But he definitely will not be playing in League One for Portsmouth.’

Ben Haim has epitomised Pompey’s mismanagement in recent years.

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He signed his reported £36,000-a-week four-year deal in August 2009.

At that time, Peter Storrie was chief executive, with Sulaiman Al Fahim the owner.

Ben Haim has gone on to make 57 appearances for the Blues. However, he has missed the past five matches with a calf problem.

His snub for Saturday’s lap of appreciation has been widely criticised by Pompey fans.

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Fratton end season-ticket holder Del Pulley said: ‘The man is completely out of order. The sooner we get shot of him the better.

‘We don’t need people like that at this club.

‘It is meant to be about people pulling together but he is just not interested.

‘What he did on Saturday was a lack of respect to the fans and the football club.

‘There is no room for that at this club. Good riddance.’

Meanwhile, Glyn Tookey claims he confronted Ben Haim after the player refused to sign autographs after the match with Derby.

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Tookey, from Gosport, said: ‘I saw Ben Haim refuse to sign autographs for young fans.

‘The guy is a disgrace.

‘He was politely asked but brushed off their books with his hand and walked away.

‘I got angry and had a go at him about it. He was arrogant and rude.’

Ben Haim was unavailable for comment, while Zahavi insisted he knew nothing about the defender’s alleged snubs.