Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk are interested in appointing former Chelsea manager Avram Grant as their boss.

Blues defender Tal Ben Haim has reportedly been approached by Greek club Panathinaikos.

And a third Israeli from Stamford Bridge, Ben Sahar looks set to prefer a loan deal with Dutch outfit NEC Nijmegen over Portsmouth. The prospect of regular first team football looks more likely for the 18-year-old with Nijmegen, who finished eighth in the Dutch league and qualified for the Uefa Cup.

The career of Barcelona midfielder Gai Assulin has suffered a setback as it appears unlikely that he will be promoted to Barca’s first team for the coming season. Now 17, Assulin became the first 16-year-old to represent Israel when he came on as a substitute in a friendly international against Chile in March.

New manager Pep Guardiola, who was Barcelona’s reserve team coach last season, has reportedly told the Israeli that he will need to wait another season before joining the first team squad.

Wingate & Finchley have signed Michael Sacks. The defender progressed through the Manchester United academy and played for Great Britain at the 2005 Maccabiah Games. He also played for England at the last two European Maccabi Games.