Cherries’ hot prospect Danny Ings could be in line for a dream move to the Premier League – providing the price was right.

Daily Echo sources claim Fulham are leading the chase for the teenage striker, with at least one other top-flight club believed to be tracking him.

Ings is understood to have impressed Fulham representatives when they watched Cherries last season to keep tabs on loan striker Lauri Dalla Valle.

And with the transfer window now open, the Cottagers could be ready to test Cherries’ resolve by tabling a bid for the homegrown youngster.

Ings shot to prominence during the second half of last season when he netted seven times to help Cherries reach the League One play-offs.

His stock rose further when he also starred on the big stage and scored his eighth goal during Cherries’ epic play-off semi-final at Huddersfield.

The Winchester-born 18-year-old, released by Southampton when he was a schoolboy, only graduated from the Cherries youth ranks a year ago when he signed a short-term deal.

However, both Eddie Howe and Lee Bradbury soon realised he had the potential to make the grade and tied him to longer contracts, his current one running until 2014.

At the start of last month, Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell steadfastly insisted the club did not need to sell any of its prized assets during the close season.

But although Mitchell maintains the club’s finances are far healthier than they were a year ago, the board would be hard pushed to turn down a significant offer for Ings and subsequently stand in his way should a Premier League club back up any interest.

However, to tempt the Cherries board and prise away Ings, any potential suitor would probably have to shell out in excess of the club record £800,000 received for Joe Parkinson and Matt Holland.

When contacted by the Daily Echo last night, chairman Mitchell confirmed the club had received no firm bids for any of its players.

Asked to comment on the speculation surrounding Ings, Mitchell replied: “We don’t have to sell, that is a fact.

“Danny is only 18 and didn’t look out of place mixing it with some good players last season. In the current climate, he would be worth more than £1m.

“If he were to score 20 goals for us next season, and there is every chance he will, he would be a £2m player.

“We have got more than one player who would be worth more than £1m.”

Echo sources also understand Cherries could be forced to fend off interest in skipper Jason Pearce, with Championship new boys Peterborough ready to make a move.