CHERRIES have tonight rubbished a report suggesting Eddie Howe was set to sign a new £4million-a-year contract at Vitality Stadium.

The Mirror claimed Howe would “double his money” and become one of the highest-paid domestic managers in the Premier League.

And the tabloid's exclusive said his salary would rise above a basic £3m, with bonuses potentially increasing that figure further.

However, the Daily Echo has been told Howe is not currently involved in any contract talks with the club and there is no substance to the story.

Howe was entitled to re-negotiate fresh terms after masterminding Cherries' promotion to the Premier League in May 2015.

Even then, he did not open talks until the October of the following season as he focussed his attentions on ensuring the club would be fully prepared for life in the top flight.

Howe, who is the longest-serving boss in the top flight and the fourth-longest in the country, is under contract to Cherries until the end of 2019-20.

The 40-year-old is in his fourth season in the Premier League having steered Cherries to 16th, ninth and 12th-placed finishes since promotion from the Championship.