Fulham are one of three Premier League clubs monitoring the progress of AZ Alkmaar midfielder Brett Holman, according to reports from Australia.

Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers and Fulham have all watched the Australian international forward over the past couple of months and AZ have a big decision to make over the 27 year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Holman has turned down a new deal and AZ will have to decide whether to deal a deal with one of the Premier League clubs this month or allow him to leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Holman, who enjoyed a fine 2011 shrugging off criticism over his continued selection for the Australian national side to win the Football Media Association’s Player of the Year award, has scored six goals in 21 appearances for AZ this season, including two in the Europa League. There will be little trouble in securing a work permit for Holman, who can also play as an attacking midfielder or second striker, as he has been a regular for Australian coach Holger Osieck and his predecessor Pim Verbeek.

Villa boss Alex McLeish is reportedly keen to seal a transfer this month, while both Fulham and Blackburn have made signing new strikers a priority for the transfer window.