Chelsea Could Land £17m England Defender Target

Chelsea have received a boost in their pursuit of Gary Cahill, with Owen Coyle admitting that he would like to take on some players from elite English clubs this season.

The Blues have been strongly connected with Cahill since the summer, and while Arsenal and Tottenham were also believed to be chasing the England international, both north London clubs have cooled their interest since.

And after Bolton were linked with Chelsea youngster Josh McEachran in the last window, and Gael Kakuta also currently on loan at the club, Coyle has hinted that deals with the Blues over signing new players will continue in the next transfer window.

"We are in a very fortunate position," Coyle told the Daily Mirror. "The elite clubs will look to loan their best players to us. They know it's a good club with a manager who will look after them and develop them."

Cahill has been touted to all of Europe's big clubs as his contract winds down with Bolton; the 25 year old is reportedly hoping to leave the side in search of Champions League football, but his £17 million release clause has been a deterrent for interested managers in the past.

Arsenal in particular have been public about their courting of Cahill, but Arsene Wenger insisted that he was too expensive, particularly when he could move for free within a year.

It remains to be seen whether the Wanderers will be willing to lower their price in January, but Chelsea have a much larger budget than Arsenal, and would be able to afford Cahill is they were desperate enough.

And with David Luiz disappointing so far in defence for the Blues, Cahill could be a better option as the club look to challenge for trophies under new manager Andre Villas-Boas.