Owen Coyle has confirmed that Bolton have begun talks over the potential sale of Gary Cahill in the winter transfer window.
Coyle confident defender will remain committed until probable sale
Bolton have confirmed they have begun talks with Chelsea over the potential sale of Gary Cahill in the winter transfer window.
The England defender is out of contract in the summer so Bolton must sell in January or risk losing their prize asset on a free in the summer.
Chelsea boss
Andre Villas-Boas this week confirmed his interest in the 26-year-old, while Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with the former Aston Villa man.
And Chelsea's interest has apparently moved a step forward in the past few days as Bolton revealed on Friday that negotiations had begun.
"Regarding Gary Cahill, there has been dialogue between ourselves and Chelsea. He is a top player and is fully focused on Bolton," read a brief statement on their
Twitter page.
Bolton boss Coyle earlier suggested Cahill's departure is imminent but he is confident he will continue to give his all to their survival bid as Wanderers face Newcastle and Wolves before the window opens.
"It's fair to say there's interest in Gary, and there will be," Coyle told
Sky Sports News.
"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.
Outstanding man
"There is serious interest in Gary, but I've got to say we have two huge games before 1st January, 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. I've got to be up front and tell you, as I always do, and that's the situation."
Cahill cost £5million from Villa in January 2008 and is expected to fetch around £7m this January.
And should Bolton agree a fee for the sought-after defender, Coyle intends to reinvest the money to boost his depleted squad ahead of a potential relegation scrap.
He added: "We know, given the injuries and suspensions we've had, that we need two or three (new players) to give us a fresh impetus to kick on in the second half of the season.
"There's business to be done and come 1st January, we'll see what happens. I think it's fair to say it'll be an interesting month."
