Owen Coyle dismisses Cahill exit talks

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has dismissed speculation linking star defender Gary Cahill with a big-money move to Liverpool as "without foundation".

Cahill has been in the spotlight for much of the summer.

Arsenal have been leading the list of clubs interested in acquiring the England international, although so far there has been no formal bid for the 25-year-old.

However, the latest report - although it does appear somewhat mild - seems to have irritated Coyle.

"This story is without a shred of foundation," he said.

"It is irresponsible. To just reel words off is in poor taste.

"Nothing surprises you in football but people should have more knowledge of the background for anything before they write it.

"It doesn't faze me. I am not raging about it. I am just making a point."

The odds would still seem to be stacked against Cahill being at Bolton by the time the present transfer window closes in September.

Coyle insists he is remaining focused on the start of the new Premier League season in another week's time, and the same goes for Cahill as well.

"Gary had been through that much and read so many things, he is really focused. That is the way we will treat it," said Coyle.

"It is not difficult for me either because there is nothing to chat about.

"There are 27 days left. This is another one. Nothing has happened, there is nothing concrete, there is nothing to report.

"If someone leaves, it will be the right business for the club but I don't pre-occupy myself with thoughts like that when I have a team to prepare for the rest of the season.

"If anything happens, we will re-adjust. At the moment it is hypothetical, so will focus on the players we want to add to the club."

Source: PA