Arsenal target Bolton stopper Cahill

Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Gary Cahill after central defender Thomas Vermaelen was injured in the weekend defeat at Benfica.

The ‘Daily Mail’ reported that Gunners’ chief scout Steve Rowley was dispatched to the Reebok Stadium on Friday night to run the rule over Cahill in Bolton’s 1-0 defeat by Levante.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has put a dominant central defender with Premier League experience at the top of his summer shopping list, and that became even more of a priority after Vermaelen was injured in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat, the newspaper said.

The Gunners have already had a £12 million offer for Everton’s England defender Phil Jagielka rejected as the Merseyside club want around £18 million.

Arsenal have also had an £8 million offer for Chris Samba turned down by Blackburn. They have watched former Aston Villa stopper Cahill, 25, more than 20 times.

Cahill has a £17 million release clause in his Bolton contract, though the Gunners are unlikey to go that high given he has under 12 months to run on his existing deal.

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