Owen Coyle has confirmed that Chelsea have opened formal talks with Bolton Wanderers over a move for England international Gary Cahill when the transfer window reopens.
Cahill is entering the final six months of his deal at the Reebok Stadium and his club will be keen cash in on their defender rather than let him leave for free at the end of the season. It would seem as though the Blues want to get in early for the 26-year-old to stave off interest from London rivals Tottenham, who tried and failed to sign him during the summer.
Andre Villas-Boas has recently admitted that he’s monitoring Cahill’s situation at Bolton and as Alex is expected to leave the club in the near future the club will need a replacement. Cahill could link up with John Terry at Stamford Bridge, a partnership which has been effective for England over recent months.
The Bolton manager confirmed that the clubs are discussing a potential move for Cahill:
“Regarding Gary Cahill, there has been dialogue between ourselves and Chelsea.
“He is a top player and is [still] fully focused on Bolton. That doesn’t surprise me. I’ve said from day one I believe Gary Cahill can play for anybody, I think he has those qualities.
“There is serious interest in Gary, but I’ve got to say we have two huge games before 1 January [against Newcastle and Wolverhampton Wanderers], before anything could happen. More than his ability, he’s an outstanding man, and because of the lad he is his focus will be doing the best for his team-mates, who he’s stood shoulder to shoulder with for years here, and trying to help them get points in these two games. Then whatever January brings, so be it. There’s nothing signed and sealed at the moment but it’s fair to say there has been dialogue [with Chelsea]. I’ve got to be up front and tell you, as I always do, and that’s the situation.”
