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Bolton accept Chelsea's bid for Cahill

Gary Cahill has played alongside John Terry in an England shirt © PA Photos

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Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea have agreed a fee for the transfer of England international defender Gary Cahill.

Cahill, 26, is poised to arrive at Chelsea as a replacement for Brazilian stopper Alex, who is set to leave the club after having a transfer request accepted.

Bolton always looked likely to lose Cahill at some point this season as his contract is due to expire in the summer and he has shown no desire to sign a new one. He was the subject of bids from Tottenham and Arsenal in August, but neither side was able to complete a deal before the transfer window closed.

The fee Chelsea have offered has not yet been revealed, although reports suggest it is in the region of £7 million. Cahill has experience of playing alongside John Terry for England, and they are now set to reprise that partnership at club level.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: "There has been a fee agreed between the clubs and we have now given Gary's representatives permission to speak to Chelsea. 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."

Cahill joined Bolton from Aston Villa in 2008 for a fee of £5 million, and went on to raise his profile and establish himself at international level. Nonetheless, the 19th-placed Trotters currently possess the worst defensive record in the top division, having shipped 41 goals this term.

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