Matt Holland was due at Portsmouth today to discuss a possible £750,000 move to Fratton Park.
The Ipswich Town skipper - just back from international duty - is travelling to Hampshire to meet Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie.
Manager Harry Redknapp is away on holiday but is confident both parties can agree terms in his absence.
And it is believed the South Coast club are willing to match Holland's £20,000 weekly salary in order to lure him to Fratton Park.
It us understood, however, that nothing will be signed or finalised until after the player returns from a family holiday in Mauritius.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder wants time to mull over his future before committing himself elsewhere.
Holland returned to his Colchester home yesterday after spending a week away on international duty.
He played in two European Championship qualifiers against Albania and Georgia.
Meanwhile, Darren Bent has been granted an extra week's summer holiday before joining his team-mates for pre-season training.
The striker has been told he must report back on July 9 following his recent exploits for England Under-21s.
Published Friday, June 13, 2003
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