The move taking Town skipper Matt Holland to Portsmouth has collapsed, according to the south coast club. Holland returned from Ireland duty yesterday and began talks about the proposed switch.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp seemed very confident earlier this week that a deal would be completed after Town accepted a cut-price £750,000 for their captain.

However, it now appears that as with Aston Villa last summer the player's demands are a long way from the deal being offered by Pompey.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said this afternoon: "I have now spoken with Matt's advisors and from every way we look at it the terms are too expensive.

"We always said it was the case that till we talked terms it was far from being a done deal.

"Now we have talked those terms we are in a position to say that we won't be taking the matter any further ourselves at this moment."

Last weekend Spurs were reported to be about to match the Portsmouth offer, however Joe Royle has since said that he is unaware of any interest from Tottenham.

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