Coyle: Reds not in for Cahill

(GSM) – Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has insisted that he has not been contacted by Liverpool regarding star defender Gary Cahill.

Rafa Benitez is reportedly set to offer £15million for the centre-back if he is given money to spend by his debt-ridden club following a turbulent season.

If new buyers are found for Liverpool, after they were put up for sale by co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks last week then, the probability of a bid for Cahill will increase, while Lee Chung-Yong has also been mentioned as a target.

But Coyle is adamant that there has yet to be an approach from officials at Anfield, who could be looking towards the future amid concerns over the longevity of 32-year-old Jamie Carragher.

“I don’t know anything about it,” the Wanderers boss, who succeeded Gary Megson in January, told the Bolton News. “No-one has spoken to me.

“There was also speculation about Liverpool and Lee Chung-Yong, wasn’t there?

“I can assure you there has been no dialogue (with Liverpool) at my level. And I hope I would have been told had it gone any higher.”

With Arsenal also said to be considering contacting the Trotters about Cahill, a £5m signing from Aston Villa in January 2008, Coyle confesses that it is impossible to prevent a talented player from catching interest.

However, the Bolton manager is confident that Cahill will still be at the Reebok Stadium in 2010/11 after his contract, which has another two years to run, was renegotiated earlier this season to factor out an £8m buyout clause.

“You can’t stop people admiring your players,” Coyle said. “But I see no reason why Gary Cahill shouldn’t be at Bolton Wanderers next season.

“He will continue to get better. Hopefully, we can help him improve as a player and that will be of benefit to Gary Cahill and to the club.”