OWEN Coyle has reiterated his desire to keep Gary Cahill at Wanderers after insisting there have been no approaches for the club’s prize asset.

Speculation continues to mount linking the 24-year-old with a move away from the Reebok, with Arsenal and Manchester United both rumoured to be poised to make a bid.

But Reebok boss Coyle, pictured, confirmed there has been no contact with any club over the £15million-rated star and that he is still very much part of his plans for next season.

Despite splashing £10m on Marseille centre back Laurent Koscielny this week, Arsene Wenger is still be on the look out for another defender with William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre all set to leave the Emirates – and Cahill is reported to be his top target.

Coyle, however, insists the Gunners boss has not spoken to him about the England hopeful which, given the pair have been in regular contact over a loan deal for Jack Wilshere, seems to rule out any possible switch.

Cahill joining United appears equally implausible. Chris Smalling has arrived at Old Trafford over the summer for £12m and, in Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, Sir Alex Ferguson is spoilt for choice at the heart of his defence.

United simply do not have funds any more to spend £15m on a player who would not be guaranteed to start at a time when other areas of the team need more immediate reinforcements.

“There’s never been any dialogue with me or any manager from another club about Gary Cahill this summer,” said Coyle.

“Gary Cahill is a player I want at this football club for a long time to come.

“If someone comes in and says ‘there’s £25million’ any football club would have to look at that.

“I said that in April when he came back from injury and that’s where we are with it now. If that ever comes about the football club will look at it – but that’s not happening.

“I want him here. I want him to continue his development and I want to get him playing at a level where he’s in that England squad.”

Significantly, while Cahill, a £5m signing from Aston Villa in January 2008, has made no secret of his desire to join one of the Big Four if the opportunity arose, he is settled at the Reebok and has not pushed for a move elsewhere.

Cahill, for the immediate future at least, looks set to remain a happy Wanderer.