FULHAM have emerged as the front runners to sign former Bournemouth skipper Matt Holland in a deal which could spell the end of Cherries' plans to sell Dean Court.

Ipswich star Holland has been linked with several big money moves after an impressive showing during the Republic of Ireland's heroic World Cup campaign this summer.

It is believed that Prem-iership new boys Manches-ter City, Middlesbrough and Everton were all lining up multi-million pound bids to try and lure the 28-year-old midfielder away from the relegated Tractor Boys.

But sources close to the London club believe Jean Tigana's Fulham are now the hot favourites to land Holland for a reputed £8m.

As part of the deal which saw Holland leave Dean Court for Portman Road in 1997, Cherries stand to receive 25 per cent of any future transfer fee if Ipswich were to sell their captain.

And Cherries chairman Tony Swaisland has made no secret of the fact that a move for Holland could go a considerable way to safeguarding the future of his cash-strapped club.

Swaisland is already in negotiations with an unnamed property investor regarding a controversial £4m sale and leaseback arrangement for the Fitness First Stadium.

But an £8m transfer for Holland could see Cherries land a total of £1.8m, effectively ending their need to sell off the ground.

It is estimated Cherries need about £1.1m now to settle outstanding debts to stadium contractors Barr and a number of smaller business creditors.

And Holland's proposed Fulham move would allow Cherries to meet those urgent requirements comfortably as well as giving the club scope to restructure the remaining debts.

But Holland's agent Jonathan Barnett yesterday denied a deal with the Cottagers was imminent.

He said: "There is nothing happening with Matt at the moment and I doubt very much if there will be if what I'm reading about Ipswich's valuation of £10 million is correct.

"Matt is away with his family on holiday at the moment and when he returns we will have a chat and see where we go from there.

"He is under contract to Ipswich and he is their player. I am not aware, at this stage, of any offers for Matt."

Holland is not due to report back to Portman Road until July 15 ahead of Ipswich's pre-season trip to Denmark.

He is believed to favour a move to London as his family are settled in Essex and do not want to uproot to a northern club.