Gary Cahill, Bad News...

[BWFC_Insane]

20 million though and you'd think the chairman would step in and say "Come on mate..."

Well possibly. But then you have to factor in currently we have 2 fit recognised centre halves.

Our right back who can cover there is currently playing right back as our regular right back is injured.

So even if Arsenal came along with a 20M bid we'd need to sign 2 centre halves in January and pretty quickly.

We're struggling to get a deal done as it is. I can't imagine Coyle being overly willing to sell Cahill in January and risk it.

Also can't imagine Wenger stumping up 20M. There have been 3 windows where he's been strongly linked to Cahill and he's made no move and gone for other centre halves.

Chelsea on the other hand......

But still I don't think anyone will be going other than the fringes.

[Choppers]

But you are forgetting, none of us know Gary either. If a 20 million offer came in, he or his agent might say "Come on, this is a chance of a lifetime".

That last thing the club would need is if a worse case scenario played out and we had a stalemate.

I personally don't think anyone of importance (Lee, Cahill, Elmander, Holden) will be leaving in January. However, I'll be flabberghasted if Cahill is still playing for us at the start of next season.

[BWFC_Insane]

But you are forgetting, none of us know Gary either. If a 20 million offer came in, he or his agent might say "Come on, this is a chance of a lifetime".

That last thing the club would need is if a worse case scenario played out and we had a stalemate.

I personally don't think anyone of importance (Lee, Cahill, Elmander, Holden) will be leaving in January. However, I'll be flabberghasted if Cahill is still playing for us at the start of next season.

I think thats right.

As for Cahill wanting to go its an unknown and of course there is the "release fee" trigger. But I imagine Coyle's spoken to him and said stick with us till the summer. I've also heard that Cahill is only interested in a move if he's going to play, having been on the bench a lot with Villa. So that plays a part. He wouldn't want to go to Chelsea for example if he's just there in case Terry has a set back etc.

[seanworth]

I would not rule Cahill not being gone by month end but only if the right price is offered. Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal need help, and it could mean the difference between winning or not winning the league this season. The stakes are high and none of those teams are very secure. Fergie certainly does want to let it slip especially to Man City. There is no guarantee that we will get the same price come summer.

[thebish]

I've also heard that Cahill is only interested in a move if he's going to play, having been on the bench a lot with Villa. So that plays a part. He wouldn't want to go to Chelsea for example if he's just there in case Terry has a set back etc.

if that's true - that he wants to be first-choice - then a sideways move is his only option (unless arsenal actually do stump up..)

[BWFC_Insane]

I've also heard that Cahill is only interested in a move if he's going to play, having been on the bench a lot with Villa. So that plays a part. He wouldn't want to go to Chelsea for example if he's just there in case Terry has a set back etc.

if that's true - that he wants to be first-choice - then a sideways move is his only option (unless arsenal actually do stump up..)

Its what I heard of this January window, that he wants to move somewhere he'll play.

Might not be so true in the summer where he'd have a pre-season to establish himself and stake a claim.

[bobo the clown]

not many "big clubs" who have £15-20m to spend, have (more or less) guarenteed first XI places available .... which is good.

[BWFC_Insane]

not many "big clubs" who have £15-20m to spend, have (more or less) guarenteed first XI places available .... which is good.

Indeed, I can imagine the thinking goes that moving in January is disrupting enough.

If you're then stuck on the bench for half a season its easy for your career to slide backwards quickly and you might aswell have stayed where you were for 6 months and carried on playing!

Move in the summer although you haven't got a "guaranteed" place you have a pre-season to stake your claim.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

At United he'd be at best fourth-choice, as Ferguson said this weekend that he wants to play Jonny Evans more. That's without considering Chris Smalling, as I suppose we should, although I'm not sure why.

At Chelsea I'd fancy him to replace Alex. They're still missing Dicky Carvalho. Ivanovic can play in the middle but is arguably first-choice right-back.

At Arsenal he'd immediately become as close to a first pick as Wenger gets in defence. But remember that Wenger doesn't get defenders, he's very rarely bought decent ones (rather than converting from midfielders, like Lauren and Sagna, or even wingers, like Ashley Cole).

Thing is the Chelsea link hasn't really surfaced since just before we played them. So expect it to pop up again in a week before they come up here.

[Gary the Enfield]

I've also heard that Cahill is only interested in a move if he's going to play, having been on the bench a lot with Villa. So that plays a part. He wouldn't want to go to Chelsea for example if he's just there in case Terry has a set back etc.

if that's true - that he wants to be first-choice - then a sideways move is his only option (unless arsenal actually do stump up..)

Do you think Burnley will make an offer?

[Tombwfc]

I've always said any bid above £12/13mil we'd seriously consider. If we're talking above £15mil I think Eddie Davies would carry him there. A fair few on here think he's absolute dogshit and we'd be better off playing Sam Ricketts, so I'm not sure what we're expecting to get for him.

Where has the bit about Cahill wanting first team football come from? Sorry, much like Coyle-Liverpool, I can't ever envisage seeing the headline "Cahill rejects United - opts to stay at Bolton".

[LeDonk]

Think with him playing against York we'll see him here till the end of the Season...

[FaninOz]

To be honest I can't see Arsenal paying 20mil for anyone never mind a centre half who may only become cover when everyone is fit again. Similar at United who already have at least three good players for that position, but City would pay that much if they want him and so may Chelsea but on balance I think that he is here until the summer. Particularly as now he is Cup tied, but that wouldn't bother Liverpool or Newcastle or Sunderland, etc ,etc.

[thebish]

To be honest I can't see Arsenal paying 20mil for anyone never mind a centre half who may only become cover when everyone is fit again. Similar at United who already have at least three good players for that position, but City would pay that much if they want him and so may Chelsea but on balance I think that he is here until the summer. Particularly as now he is Cup tied, but that wouldn't bother Liverpool or Newcastle or Sunderland, etc ,etc.

I'm not so sure it will take £20million... but... Wenger will be under pressure as Vermaillen has crocked himself again - and squillaci is out till well into february.. leaving only 2 recognised CBs...

Arsene Wenger has signalled his intent to buy a defender during the January transfer window after Thomas Vermaelen suffered another injury setback.
The Belgium international has been out of action for almost five months with an achilles problem, but Wenger had hoped he could be close to a first-team return.
However, the 25-year-old incurred an added complication on his road to recovery at the weekend, and Wenger is now facing up to the fact that he could be without his star defender for the forseable future.

enger is preparing his side for their semi-final first leg tie against Ipswich on Wednesday with Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou as his only two recognised centre-halves.

Wenger is a keen admirer of Gary Cahill, but will have to fight off competition from Chelsea and Liverpool, who are also considering a move for the highly-rated Bolton defender.

[officer_dibble]

If Cahill has a release clause of £17 million, which is what is generally accepted I believe.

Why would anyone pay more?

[Zulus Thousand of em]

If Cahill has a release clause of £17 million, which is what is generally accepted I believe.

Why would anyone pay more?

All depends on how many interested parties there are. Nowt wrong with a good old auction!

[ohjimmyjimmy]

Stick him on eBay and let the good times roll...

[thebish]

If Cahill has a release clause of £17 million, which is what is generally accepted I believe.

Why would anyone pay more?

All depends on how many interested parties there are. Nowt wrong with a good old auction!

hmm - but surely they all offer £17mill and the negotiation is with Cahill himself over HIS financial package? he benefits from an auction - not us...

i thought the release clause meant that at £17million - they are free to negotiate with the player...

[seanworth]

Looks Arsenal is supposedly the front runner in the chase for Cahill. Don't expect them to offer the cash many of us were speculating/dreaming about. Wonder if a player will be thrown in to sweeten the deal in order to try and make this happen.

[Tombwfc]

If Cahill has a release clause of £17 million, which is what is generally accepted I believe.

Why would anyone pay more?

All depends on how many interested parties there are. Nowt wrong with a good old auction!

hmm - but surely they all offer £17mill and the negotiation is with Cahill himself over HIS financial package? he benefits from an auction - not us...

i thought the release clause meant that at £17million - they are free to negotiate with the player...

It does.

Coyle's comments last week imply that there is no £17mil release clause.