Cheryl Cole has been helping Will.i.am house-hunt in London

A source said: "Cheryl has told him to leave it all up to her. She knows his taste, arty with fab architecture or a futuristic feel. They've ruled out a tacky bachelor pad.

"Wherever they choose, studio space will be vital. He is always working and does not want to put his beat-making on hold."

The Girls Aloud star - who first struck up a friendship with Will when she performed on his 2008 track 'Heartbreaker' - is said to have been touring Clerkenwell, Blackfriars, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Brixton and Dulwich in an effort to find the perfect abode for her manager.

Talking to the Daily Mirror, the source added: "Will is desperate to lay down some roots.

"He helped Chez in Los Angeles last year when she was there for 'X Factor', so she wants to return the favour."

In between helping Cheryl with her new record and judging the TV talent contest, the 'Where Is The Love?' star also plans to root out a few fellow Americans to have dinner parties with.

The insider added: "Will is hoping to start up a bit of a US supper club while he's here, now the American contingent in London is getting so strong.

"Kanye has studios in Clerkenwell and Rihanna has become a bit of a permanent fixture and is looking for a pad in east London."