Cahill has scored 12 top-flight goals for Bolton since joining three years ago
Chelsea have opened talks with Bolton about England defender Gary Cahill.
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas had already admitted he was interested in signing the 26-year-old centre-back, who is out of contract in the summer.
Now Bolton boss Owen Coyle has revealed that there have been discussions between the two clubs.
“Regarding Gary Cahill, there has been dialogue between ourselves and Chelsea,” Coyle said.
Villas-Boas reveals Cahill interest
However, the Wanderers boss added that Cahill was “fully focused on Bolton”.
Cahill, who joined Bolton in a £5m move from Aston Villa in January 2008, has become a fully fledged England international this season.
Arsenal had a bid for him turned down in August but the defender has now become a target for Chelsea.
“We are aware of Gary’s contractual situation,” Villas-Boas said earlier this week. “He’s an interesting player for the club.”
Chelsea are short of cover in central defence, with Alex banished from the first-team squad after handing in a transfer request.
“You know that we have taken a decision this season regarding the central defenders, regarding Alex,” Villas-Boas added.
“We haven’t decided what we are going to do with the Alex situation. We have to make the wisest decision, be it Alex, be it Cahill.”