Source: Manchester_EveningNews
United set for £15m Cahill swoop
Manchester United are set to splash £15m on Bolton's highly-rated defender Gary Cahill. Sir Alex Ferguson is becoming increasingly worried over his first choice defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Ferdinand, who played only 19 times last season for United because of leg and back problems, also missed the World Cup because of a knee ligament injury suffered in the first training session in South Africa. And there are fears the England captain might not be ready for a comeback until late September. Meanwhile Vidic, who formed Europe's best defensive partnership with Ferdinand in 2007 and 2008, has yet to settle a new Old Trafford deal amid speculation that he could leave United. Real Madrid have constantly been tracking the Serb and he's been touted as one of Jose Mourinho's targets for the Bernabeu to strengthen the Galacticos at the back. United have Jonny Evans and newcomer Chris Smalling as back up but Cahill, 24, has now emerged as a front runner to add to Fergie's defensive stock. Cahill is already tipped as a beneficiary from England's World Cup debacle with John Terry, Ledley King, Jamie Carragher and Matthew Upson all failing to impress. Cahill was in one Fabio Capello squad last summer against Kazakhstan but has yet to win a full cap. The Sheffield-born, former Aston Villa defender has previously been linked with Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs. It is likely Cahill will feature when the Italian names his squad for next month's friendly against Hungary and the European Championship qualifier with Bulgaria in September. Wanderers chief Owen Coyle certainly believes Cahill is good enough, saying: He is the best centre-half in England. He is the complete package. I recommended him to be part of the World Cup squad. The disappointment for me was that he wasn't in the initial 30-man squad. If he had been, they would have seen him and I know he would have been selected. Cahill admitted: Being realistic, if a big team wanted me to come and play for them, then you have got to look at it. It may be a right decision for both sides. I'm not saying for one minute I want to leave Bolton. I have loved my time here and the club has done brilliantly for me. Would you like to see United go for Cahill? Have your say. [LNB]
