BOLTON manager Owen Coyle believes a January transfer would not be in Gary Cahill’s best interests – and insists it will require a bid of at least £20million if the defender is going to move on from the Reebok Stadium.

Chelsea are reported to be lining up an approach this month for Cahill, whose performances for Wanderers over the last few years have earned him a growing list of admirers.

Coyle accepts the 25-year-old England international could soon leave Bolton, but thinks now would be the wrong moment – and when the time does come, the Scot knows the kind of price he is looking for.

“I don’t fear bids for Gary or any other player because they have been playing so well,” Coyle said.

“Could it happen? Absolutely, because they are top players.

“But if it is Gary that we are speaking about, when those sort of players move for £20million, £25million or £30million – because that is what it would take – they are better suited to moving in the summer.

“Then they can get a pre-season under their belt with the group – and obviously it would be an elite club, to pay that sort of money.”