Bolton have accepted a bid for Cahill from Chelsea

Bolton Wanderers have agreed a fee with Chelsea for Gary Cahill and the defender is now set to discuss a move to Stamford Bridge.

Cahill is out of contract at the end of the season and Bolton have decided to accept a reported £7million offer rather than risk losing the England international for nothing.

The 26-year-old joined the Trotters from Aston Villa nearly four years ago and he has made almost 150 appearances during his time at the Reebok Stadium.

He has established himself as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves in recent seasons and had been linked with a move away from Bolton in the summer.

However, no deal was agreed and Cahill was subsequently rumoured to be a target for Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in January.

Chelsea, though, now appear set to win the race to land the defender, despite Andre Villas-Boas initially claiming he was not interested in signing Cahill when the transfer window reopens.

Villas-Boas changed tack last week, with Bolton confirming talks were under way and a fee has now been agreed between the two clubs.

The Blues are in the market for a new centre-half after Villas-Boas accepted a transfer request from Brazil international Alex at the start of December.

A move for Cahill would see him paired up with England team-mate John Terry at Stamford Bridge if personal terms can be agreed.