Liverpool and Arsenal likely to move for defender

Liverpool and Arsenal will lead the chase for Bolton defender Gary Cahill in the summer, it has been claimed.

The 25-year-old has seen his star continue to rise this season and was rewarded for his imperious displays with a full England cap against Ghana at Wembley last month.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has previously stated that he expects Cahill to eventually leave the Reebok Stadium for greater things and, according to the Daily Mail, Liverpool and Arsenal are the most 'likely' to move for the centre-back during the transfer window.

Manchester City, Tottenham and both Milan clubs are also said to be monitoring the former Aston Villa man's progress with great interest, while the Mirror reports it would take £20 million to force Bolton into a sale.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is alleged to have earmarked Cahill as a potential summer acquisition, while Arsene Wenger has previously been outed as a fan of the England international.

"I think Gary Cahill is a very good player, but I cannot tell you more," said the Arsenal supremo in January.

"We like to keep our transfer negotiations always very secret, because it puts more pressure on when you go public so you would understand we don't want to speak publicly about that."

Both Liverpool and Arsenal - with the latter in particular - are thought to be in the market for defensive reinforcements before next season and, if speculation is to be believed, could enter into a bidding war in their pursuit of Cahill.

Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Paris St Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, while the Mirror suggests Liverpool will also move for the Frenchman if their bid for Cahill fails.

Source: Give Me Football.com

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