Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill has admitted that he is tempted by the opportunity to play top level European football and revealed that such ambition for self-improvement is backed by his manager Owen Coyle.

The England international, who has been heavily linked with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and even Italian giants AC Milan, looks set to be the subject of a second successive summer of transfer speculation.

Reflecting on the events of last year, the 25-year-old made clear that harbouring Champions League ambitions were only natural if he was to secure a career at the highest level; a state of mind which has the blessing of Coyle. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former Aston Villa man spoke candidly about his future plans:

"It's a bit weird in a way. Normally when there is transfer speculation, the manager comes out and says, 'They can forget it - he's going nowhere'.

"But the thing about our manager is he's not only ambitious for himself and his club, he's ambitious for his players. He wants them to have the same drive and desire to get to the top. He expects us all to want to better ourselves.

"So when all the speculation started last summer, he called me in for a chat. He checked first of all that it hadn't turned my head, then he came out with this statement about outgrowing the club one day.

"He just said, 'Gaz, if you were happy just to tick along at your age there would be something wrong. You've got it in you to play at Champions League  level and I honestly believe it's going to happen for you'.

"It was lovely to hear that, really flattering, and what he said has made it easier for me to contemplate moving on and taking another step forward in my career. If there is an opportunity to do something big you want to take it.”

During the second half of last season Cahill plied his trade alongside young Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere. The 19-year-old midfielder has since secured himself a place in the Gunners and England starting XI and even starred against Barcelona.

Speaking about Wilshere’s progress and how it has proved an inspirational tale to follow, Cahill continued:

"I still speak to Jack Wilshere after his loan spell here and when I watched him in the Nou Camp (against Barcelona ) the other week I couldn't help thinking, 'That's where I want to be: testing myself against the best'.

"I know there is extra pressure to deliver and prove you're worth a place alongside top players but I like to think I could handle that.

"At 25, I'm still young but I'm not exactly the new kid on the block. I have played enough Premier League games and gained enough international experience to be ready.

"I thought Jack did really well over there in Barcelona. I want to show I can hold my own in that company."

After yesterday’s revelation the the Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov tried to hijack Stan Kroenke’s takeover bid at Arsenal, it has now been announced that he is refusing to concede complete control to the American, and will not sell him his share.

Usmanov owns Arsenal shares worth a shade under £200m and he would be making a tiday profit if he accepted Kroenkes offer of £11,750 per share, but it would make but a very small impression on his overall fortune which is usually valued by Forbes at around $17.7 BILLION.

“I’m not going to sell my stake,” Usmanov said yearterday. “I love Arsenal, that’s why I’m a shareholder.”

The Arsenal Supporters Trust have also refused to part with their small holding 3% as well, and along with Usmanov they can now still have their say on what happens at the Emirates.

They also released a statement yesterday. “AST welcomes Red & White’s commitment to Arsenal and calls on all shareholders to work together,” it said. “Their priorities should firstly be making Arsenal a successful football team, secondly placing no leveraged debt on the club and no dividends or management fees that take money out of club, and thirdly Arsenal Fanshare and supporters being directly involved in the club’s ownership structure.”

This is good news for Arsenal fans as Kroenke will not be able to take massive amounts out of the club without sharing it with other shareholders. I’m looking forward to hearing what Kroenke has to say about these latest developments…..