Real Madrid are joining the battle for Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.
The Sunday Mirror says Bolton's decision to price the 26-year-old defender out of a summer move to several Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea could backfire on them.
Cahill has a £17million buy-out clause in his contract, a fee no club was prepared to meet as he entered the final year of his contract.
Bolton will now be forced to sell him at a reduced price at the turn of the year or run the risk of watching the highly- rated star walk out for nothing.
Spanish giants Real Madrid, managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, are now contemplating making a move for Cahill in January.
They are prepared to see off rival bids from the Premier League and securing the player's services for free.
If Cahill decides to move abroad he can sign a pre-contract agreement with Madrid and then complete a Bosman free transfer in the summer.