Italian giants target Cahill

The highly rated 23-year-old was chased by Arsenal in the summer, but stamped out any interest by making it clear he was settled in Lancashire – while his manager set a high price for his services.

If either of the prestigious Italian outfits are to prize him away from the Reebok Stadium though, they’ll have to be prepared to flash the cash as Bolton have placed a hefty £20 million price tag on their first choice centre-back. Trotters boss Gary Megson has made it clear that the £5 million bargain from Aston Villa definitely features in his long-term plans.

“I want to build the team around him for the next few seasons".

“He’s the best young centre-half in the country by an absolute street and I’ve been delighted with him again this year".

Although Cahill has been called up to the England squad several times under Fabio Capello, he is yet to gain his first cap for his country.

With the majority of Milan’s back four on the wrong side of 30 and Juventus increasingly reliant on Gigi Buffon, the young England international looks to be both clubs' solution to their shaky defences, according to Italian website Novantesimo.it.