Bolton Wanderers must cough up £1 million to prise Chris Coleman away from Real Sociedad.
If Gartside decides he cannot wait while a deal is sorted out with Sociedad, he may opt instead to sign Graeme Souness or Gary Megson, both of whom would be available from this week.
Sociedad could release Coleman if Bolton offer a seven-figure compensation package for the former Fulham boss.
Wanderers are in the bottom three of the Premiership as they search for a replacement for Sammy Lee.