Bolton manager Owen Coyle has confirmed that the club have accepted a bid for defender Gary Cahill from Chelsea.
There has been much speculation surrounding the future of the 26-year-old England centre-back, who has just six months remaining on his contract.
Coyle confirmed that talks had advanced between the two clubs and Cahill’s representatives are now in negotiations with the west London team.
“There has been a fee agreed between the clubs and we have now given Gary’s representatives permission to speak to Chelsea,” Coyle told reporters.
Bolton face fellow strugglers Wolves on New Year’s Eve and despite the likelihood of Cahill not playing for Bolton beyond 2011, Coyle has said he expects full commitment from the club’s prized asset.
He continued: “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 January 1 brings, it will bring.”
The fee for Cahill is believed to be in the region of £7 million (€8.37m). His first game for Chelsea could come as early as their fixture against Wolves on January 2.