Coyle: I’ll only sell Cahill for £20m

BOLTON manager Owen Coyle believes a January transfer would not be in Gary Cahill’s best interests — and insists it will require a bid of at least £20m (€23m) if the defender is going to move on from the Reebok Stadium.

Chelsea are reported to be lining up an approach this month for Cahill, whose performances for Wanderers over the last few years have earned him a growing list of admirers.

Coyle accepts the 25-year-old England international could soon leave Bolton, but thinks now would be the wrong moment — and when the time does come, the Scot knows the kind of price he is looking for.

“I don’t fear bids for Gary or any other player because they have been playing so well,” Coyle said.

“Could it happen? Absolutely, because they are top players. But if it is Gary we are speaking about, when those sort of players move for £20m, £25m or £30m — because that is what it would take — they are better suited to moving in the summer.

“Then they can get a pre-season under their belt with the group — and obviously it would be an elite club, to pay that sort of money. I feel if that type of player signs for someone in January, they are under pressure to hit the ground running and I don’t think they are given enough time to settle in to whatever fantastic football club they would go to.”

Coyle stressed he has yet to receive contact from any clubs about Cahill.

“There was speculation regarding Gary Cahill yesterday — I can sit here now very comfortably and say I have had no dialogue with any other football club regarding Gary or any of my other players,” Coyle said.

“Long may that continue, because I think it is important that the group we have got, we keep them together and we try and add one or two fresh faces to help what we have.”

Coyle confirmed Andy O’Brien’s proposed permanent switch to Leeds is still to be finalised. “There is nothing signed and sealed as yet, but there is every chance that will come to fruition in the next few days.”