AVB: Cahill terms yet to be agreed

Published on December 30, 2011 by mod1   ·   No Comments

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has suggested the club’s move for Bolton’s Gary Cahill could still hit a stumbling block, with the parties “miles apart” over the player’s personal terms after the two clubs agreed a fee believed to be in the region of £7 million.

“We’re still miles apart regarding agreement with the player,” he said, warning the Blues had alternative targets. “We’ll continue to monitor this situation as we continue to monitor others.”

Villas-Boas was confident, however, an agreement would eventually be reached and hailed the qualities Cahill would bring to Stamford Bridge.

“Gary has been this season involved in a fighting struggle with Bolton and a fight for position in the league,” he said. “I think his technical attributes are immense. His pace is fantastic as well. There are weaknesses and they are also related to the collective weaknesses of Bolton.

“He’s a player that at international level has been playing well. He can add to this squad or any squad in the Premier League.”

Villas-Boas revealed midfielder Josh McEachran would not be joining Bolton on loan but could move to another club.

Earlier, Bolton manager Owen Coyle had confirmed the club have agreed a fee with Chelsea for Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.

“There has been a fee agreed between the clubs and we have now given Gary’s representatives permission to speak to Chelsea,” said Coyle, speaking ahead of Bolton’s New Year’s Eve home clash with Wolves.

“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 is poised to replace Alex at Chelsea, who has set his sights on a move back to Brazilian football.

Alex is prepared to take a pay cut to return home to Brazil if a big-money move to the continent fails to materialise. Alex, 29, has had a transfer request accepted by the Blues after failing to hold down a regular place in Andre Villas-Boas’ starting XI.

Along with striker Nicolas Anelka, who is joining Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January, Alex has been training separately from the Chelsea squad, and admits that barring any surprise bids from Europe, he expects to return to his native Brazil, where he started his career with Santos.

“I knew when I asked for a transfer I wouldn’t get the same salary in Brazil as I get at Chelsea,” Alex was quoted as saying in the Sun. “It will be hard to even come close. The Brazilian league is very good. Unless something special comes along I’ll go home.”

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com

Tags: Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea, Gary Cahill