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Coyle set to switch targets
Bolton Wanderers, 11:07, January 15, 2011 , | 1 Comment
Bolton are set to end their interest in Middlesbrough defender David Wheater as they are unprepared to match his £3million valuation.
Boss Owen Coyle is desperate to bolster his defence in January and a centre-half is his top priority as the Wanderers have just Gary Cahill and Zat Knight as recognised central defenders.
The Wanderers had already agreed personal terms with Wheater and the player is believed to be keen to make the move to the Reebok but Boro are holding out for £3million and Bolton are unwilling to raise their offer, thought to be around £2.5million.
Wheater is out of contract in the summer and can leave as a free agent when the season ends and Coyle may reignite his interest then if the Boro defender does not move elsewhere in January, with Stoke and Wolves said to be monitoring the situation.
Coyle is now ready to explore other options as he looks to bring in at least one new centre-half and the Bolton chief is adamant he will not be forced to pay over the odds in January.
"Good luck to anyone that does it, but I believe in getting the best deal possible for the football club that you are at," he told the Bolton News.
"Everyone is looking to do the best deal possible for themselves. Circumstances often help you in that some clubs sometimes need money more quickly than others, but what you have to realise is where the niche in the market is for you and do the best for your own football club."
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If it's £500k we're talking about, perhaps bloody Gartside could throw his ridiculous wages into the deal. What would that pudding earn if we ever made a profit?