Bolton set to sign Burnley pair

Eagles joined Burnley from Manchester United in 2008

Bolton are set to hold talks with Burnley’s Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears after the two clubs agreed a joint fee, believed to be in the region of £3m.

Eagles and right-back Mears each had a year left on their contracts but rejected new deals.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle signed the duo at Turf Moor and is set to be reunited with Mears, 28, and former Eagles, 25.

“Burnley had hoped to persuade the players to sign extensions to their present deals,” said a club statement.

“However, with the players expressing their desire to immediately return to the Premier League, and effectively able to leave Turf Moor for free next summer, Burnley Football Club regrettably has accepted this offer from Bolton.

“Mears and Eagles will not take part in the Clarets’ pre-season friendly at Torquay today, as they look to discuss personal terms with Wanderers.

Mears helped Derby gain promotion to the Premier League in 2007

“The funds from Eagles and Mears’ expected departures will be used to strengthen the squad, with further transfer developments expected early next week.”

Eagles began his career at Manchester United in 2003 but failed to break into Sir Alex Ferguson’s first team.

The 25-year-old was loaned out to Watford, Sheffield Wednesday and NEC Nijmegen before signing a three-year deal with Burnley in 2008.

After making one appearance for Manchester City, Mears signed for Preston in 2002, helping the Championship club to the play-off semi-finals in 2006.

Later that summer, he signed for West Ham but struggled to break into the first team and moved to Derby on loan.

Mears joined the club permanently after helping them secure promotion to the Premier League in 2007.

A loan spell at Marseille followed in 2008 before Coyle signed the defender on a three-year deal in 2009.