BURNLEY would be powerless to prevent manager Owen Coyle leaving Turf Moor if Bolton Wanderers stumped up £3.6million in compensation.

Sources in Bolton claim talks between Bolton and Coyle were at an advanced stage this lunchtime.

They also claim both parties want a deal thrashed out quickly, but it is not yet know whether anything will be done today. And the Burnley board’s hands would be tied if their Premier League rivals were to match the finances agreed when Coyle negotiated a one- year extension to his existing three-year contract in the summer.

That clause was written into the contract after Coyle turned down the chance to take charge of boyhood club Celtic.

The fee which would allow the former St Johnstone boss to speak to any suitor is around £3.6million, equating to £900,000 for each year he has been contracted to the Clarets after succeeding Steve Cotterill in November 2007.

Coyle, who ended Burnley's 33-year absence from English football's top flight by engineering May's play-off final win, travelled with the players by coach to MK Dons on Friday.

Earlier that day, his odds for the Bolton job tumbled from 15-1 to odds-on 2-5. Some bookmakers even suspended betting.

The market move followed the news that Bolton made Coyle their number one target to replace Gary Megson, who was sacked last week.

Burnley beat MK Dons 2-1 to earn a place in the FA Cup fourth round, and Coyle gave the travelling fans the thumbs-up at the final whistle.

But he kept a controversial silence following the tie.

The 43-year-old did not report for the post-match interviews and instead sent assistant Sandy Stewart to speak to the waiting media.

Although Coyle had a pre-booked flight to catch from Luton to join in belated New Year celebrations with his family in Scotland, it was the first time he had missed a post-match press conference in over two years in charge.

Burnley players – unusually – have today been given the day off.

Bolton are understood to want Megson's successor in place in time for their Premier League game with Sunderland this weekend.

If that man is Coyle, it will cost them, but that is unlikely to deter Phil Gartside, who shortlisted the Scot before Megson's appointment in October 2007, and subsequently recommended him to Burnley.

Although Coyle stated he loves being manager of Burnley when asked about links to the vacant job at the Reebok Stadium, he didn’t categorically deny any interest in the post, and the opportunity to triple his playing budget could prove tempting.

The former St Johnstone manager is operating with a budget of £14million at Turf Moor – by far the lowest in the Premier League. Bolton have a £40million pot – and that is the big attraction.

Despite reporting a loss of £52million in their annual accounts, the backing of multi-millionaire benefactor and club owner Eddie Davies means they have no outside debts, while the anticipated sale of defender Gary Cahill for at least £15m – to either Manchester United or Manchester City – in the January transfer window will boost the coffers for the new manager.