Coyle cool over Cahill contract

Coyle cool over Cahill contract

Published Sep. 8, 2011 9:16 a.m. ET

Cahill was linked with a move away from the Reebok Stadium during the transfer window but nothing materialised despite interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. Coyle declared earlier this week that the only bids Bolton received for the England international were way off their valuation The Trotters manager admits he was surprised to keep hold of the centre-back, but says talks over a new deal can wait. Cahill's current contract expires at the end of this season and he will be able to leave for nothing next summer, while clubs could come back in for him in January. Asked about contract talks, Coyle told Sky Sports News: "It is not a conversation for right now. "At the end of the day, Gary and his representatives will need to have a bit of a chat, but my focus is making sure Gary concentrates on the football side of things. "Players have got to understand that all the benefits and rewards that come their way, they only come on the back of what you earn by performing well on the pitch, and if you don't perform there won't be that interest from elite clubs." Keeping Cahill's focus on Bolton is Coyle's priority at present, although he fully expects the 25-year-old to one day join a club competing in the Champions League. "Gary is ambitious and wants to play at the highest level of the game, and I am totally understanding of this," Coyle explained. "Now, we are in the best league in the world, that goes without saying, and the next step to that is the Champions League. "There is no doubt that Gary, I think, in time would love to be part of an elite club, and I think he is more than capable of playing for any of them. "That will happen in time, I have no doubt about it, but before then, Gary has to make sure he is focused and doing his job for Bolton, both for himself and to make sure he is an integral part of that England squad. "I expected Gary to go in the summer to an elite club, that was my belief, because of the quality I know he has."

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