Spurs set for disappointment as Villas-Boas looks to secure deal

Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has admitted that his side are trying to buy Bolton’s Gary Cahill, and has confirmed that a new defender is the club’s number one priority in the January transfer window.

The England international centre half is in the last year of his contract at the Reebok Stadium, and looks set to leave The Trotters in the new year.

With Tottenham monitoring the situation carefully, Villas Boas has stated that the Stamford Bridge outfit are looking to wrap up a deal as soon as possible.

“Regarding what we are trying to do in central defence, we are trying to close a deal [for Gary Cahill] but I don’t think we will do much more than that, maybe one more player,” the Portuguese coach told the club’s official website.

“Central defence is our number one priority and we will try to solve it as soon as possible. We had initial talks with Bolton but that doesn’t mean he is our only target,” he admitted.

Chelsea have injury concerns regarding Jon Obi Mikel and Branislav Ivanovic, and Villas Boas hopes the pair will be available for selection in the near future.

“Branislav Ivanovic will be back sooner than Mikel. We are looking at the Portsmouth game (January 8th) for Ivanovic and it is not impossible for Mikel either but it might be a bit too soon,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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