Matt Holland: £10m valuation deters offers

MATT HOLLAND’S agent says there have been no approaches for the Ipswich midfielder.

Holland has been linked with several clubs, including Fulham, but his agent, Jonathan Barnett, said Ipswich’s reported asking price of £10 million may deter other clubs: “There is nothing happening with Matt at the moment, and I doubt very much there will be, if what I am 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.

”However, London sources are adamant that Fulham have moved to the head of the signing race for 28-year-old Holland, who also interests Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Everton.Barnett, who also acts for Newcastle-bound Titus Bramble as well as departed stars Richard Wright and Kieron Dyer, clearly feels Ipswich are being unrealistic regarding Holland’s worth in the transfer market.

He is probably the last player Town boss George Burley would want to see quit Portman Road. But Burley has reluctantly agreed that every player has his price and that the club must sell after dropping out of the Premiership.

Chairman David Sheepshanks has spoken openly about the need to raise £15m from player sales to cushion the relegation blow and Holland has become a target for several clubs after enhancing his reputation, together with his value, in the Ireland’s heroic World Cup campaign.

Fulham are understood to have emerged as the new favourites because Holland and his family would prefer to remain in the south.

They have a sizeable property in Essex, complete with stables, and are not keen to uproot their family.

Holland’s former club, Bournemouth, are waiting anxiously in the wings because they are entitled to 25% of any profit Ipswich receive.

They are in line for a massive windfall that could rescue them from the jaws of receivership. If Town receive £8m - ten times what they paid for the player - the hard-up Cherries stand to collect £1.8m.

Ironically, Bournemouth were in dire straits financially when they sold Holland in 1997 and his transfer fee provided the kiss of life.

Now he could come to the rescue all over again as the club contemplates selling its ground and leasing it back as a means of staying alive. The only other option is receivership, so collecting a share of Fulham’s outlay would be akin to the Third Division club hitting the jackpot.