Bolton looking for Cahill replacement

Bolton are set to take New York Red Bulls central defender Tim Ream on trial, as the club prepares to lose Gary Cahill in the January transfer window.

The England international is in the final year of his contract at the Reebok Stadium, and with ambitions of playing for a bigger club, Bolton are resigned to losing their star player.

The Trotters had to watch as Johan Elmander left the club in the summer on a Bosman ruling, and may try to cash in on their England international in the new year to avoid a similar outcome.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are thought to be keen on the defender’s services, with a price of around £7 million thought to be enough to persuade Owen Coyle’s men to sell.

The Scottish coach has revealed his admiration for possible replacement Ream however, and wants to add the North American to his squad.

“Tim is under contract at Red Bull and a top international. His club are not keen to let him move on, but it would be great to get him among the group and see what he has to offer,” Coyle told The Telegraph.

“We’ve been successful in that American avenue before with Stuart Holden and it’s a market I’m always looking at because there are some terrific players there,” he concluded.

Ream has also been on trial at West Brom recently, and the Baggies may challenge Bolton for his signature.

By Gareth McKnight