Cahill nearing Chelsea agreement?

Reports in the UK claim Chelsea are closing in on Bolton defender Gary Cahill, while Frank Lampard will not be sold.

Chelsea have reached an agreement with English Premier League rivals Bolton over a transfer fee of around seven million pounds for the player, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

But the England defender’s wage demands have prevented the deal from being finalised.

According to The Telegraph, however, Chelsea have reached a breakthrough in talks with the centre-back, and he could sign in time to make his debut against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Goal.com revealed last week Cahill was demanding 100,000 pounds a week and a four million-pound signing-on fee, after the two clubs agreed a deal for his services.

The Blues were reluctant to meet Cahill’s personal demands, leading to speculation that clubs such as Liverpool and Tottenham could move in for the former Aston Villa man.

But a deal now appears close, with Andre Villas-Boas keen to add to his defence after a troublesome start to the season at the back.

Meanwhile, midfielder Lampard looks set to stay despite interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

The paper claims the England veteran has asked his agent about the possibility of extending his Chelsea contract, which is set to expire in 2013, but the club do not want to enter talks just yet.

The report also suggested Chelsea will be priced out a move for Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell in January, but could come back in with an offer for the youngster or his team-mate Ross Barkley after the season.