Image: Kieran Tierney has been scouted by a string of top clubs in the Premier League

Bournemouth are looking to swoop ahead of Premier League rivals to sign left-back Kieran Tierney from Celtic this summer, Sky Sports News understands.

The 20-year-old has impressed for the Scottish champions again this season and been watched by a string of top clubs including Tottenham and Manchester United.

Sky sources claim Eddie Howe has made Tierney his top left-back target as he looks to improve his squad ahead of next season - their fourth in the Premier League.

The Scotland international has made 52 appearances in all competitions this term, registering 11 assists and four goals, and he signed a new contract until 2023 last October.

Tierney admitted last week that he was flattered by potential interest from other clubs, and his manager Brendan Rodgers also said Celtic would have to take seriously any offer that presented one of his players with a step forward in their career.


Image: Kieran Tierney is a Scotland international with nine caps

Tierney said: "If somebody wants to buy you then that means you are doing something right. When big teams are looking at you, it's flattering.

"It's happened during most windows since I broke through. It's good for me. It doesn't bother me or distract me because I'm enjoying myself. I'm playing for Celtic, so I'm happy.

"I'm not in any rush at all. I had four years left on my last contract and, if I wanted to leave, I would have chosen to run that down. Instead, when the club offered me six years, I was happy to sign."

Image: Bournemouth bid for Brentford's Chris Mepham in January and could renew interest

Boss Rodgers said: "The time when players were not for sale is long gone. The kid's signed a long-term deal and you can see the happiness he has here. But there's also a moral aspect to it.

"If a player is on X amount of money and he's offered five times that by someone else - and the club also has a big offer - then it's something that will be spoken about."

Bournemouth are also understood to be in the market for a young centre-back and striker this summer, after showing interested in Brentford pair Chris Mepham and Ollie Watkins in January.

Howe scouted Brentford in person that month and he subsequently saw an offer of £5.5million plus add-ons for Mepham rejected by the Championship club.