Chelsea agree deal with Bolton to sign Gary Cahill for a fee of £7million

[LeeWallaceRFC 3,920]

Chelsea have agreed a fee with Bolton Wanderers to sign the England centre-back Gary Cahill for a fee of about £7m, the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, confirmed on Friday morning.

The defender, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the August transfer window but over the past few weeks Chelsea's interest has grown following their decision to put the Brazil centre-back Alex up for sale.

The 26-year-old joined Bolton from Aston Villa in January 2008 for a fee of £5m and during his time at The Reebok has established himself as a regular member of the England squad, winning seven caps for the senior team.

"There has been a fee agreed between the clubs and we have now given Gary's representatives permission to speak to Chelsea," said Coyle.

"That is where we are with it. We obviously have a game tomorrow and I have said to Gary that he has to be focused on giving everything for Bolton Wanderers, because he knows Bolton Wanderers has been terrific for him just as much as Gary has been for us.

"That is why they have representatives – to sort that out – and whatever 1 January brings, it will bring."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/30/chelsea-sign-gary-cahill-bolton

[CaptainAmerica18 846]

Great deal for Bolton considering he has been pish and only 6 months left on his contract.

[Gazzalivesforever 2,010]

They should have took the £18m in the summer!

[alstone 374]

A good deal for all parties involved!

[Yoghurto 9]

It really helped Bolton a lot to keep him until January and end up getting a lot less money.

[papaguy51 912]

Bargain.

[50ShadesofBlue 667]

Aye, like you said. They should have taken the £18M when they had the chance.

[Papa Sasac 164]

Up ye Coyle.

Alex out then.

[Clerieblue 24]

Chelsea know Terry's going to get hammered for the racist comments and are planning ahead

[Creampuff 22,630]

Turning down that bid in the Summer was silly.

[sdunsmb 43]

An over rated player but still a good signing for Chelsea and at a good price. Especially considering Terry and Cahill have been partnered together for England regularly.

[simplythebest 11,453]

AVB is starting to put his own mark on the Chelsea squad, and get rid of some of the older long term players.

Cahill helps them with home grown rules as well.

[KBOO72 4,594]

anyone think coyle should make a move for alex ? i think hes a decent defender and wouldnt be any worse than cahill has been recently . not sure what kind of money he would be after but it could be a really good deal for bolton if they could get him on the cheap and retain most of the 7 million from the cahill move .

[ClintonGrey 365]

Bargain, plus he plays very well with JT in the England set up. Happy with this.

[tromperie 4]

Didn't they reject an almost identical bid from Arsenal back in the summer?

[blueballss 2,999]

cahill after playing for england will be wanting ridiculous wages, considering chelseas issues with central defence just pay up roman!!

[theweebluenose 4,337]

Great signing, will give the defence a real boost and already works well with Terry.

[Goianegra 4,706]

Overrated imo. Despite a belter of a goal, he's been shite this season. £7mil is a joke considering they could get him for free in 6 months.

[pcbear 10,924]

Apparently the deal is in doubt as they are miles apart with personal terms.

He wants 25k a week Chelsea are offering 100k!

[Creampuff 22,630]

The difference in money between Chelsea finishing 3rd or 5th is far more than the £7 Million spent on Cahill.