£20M TIERNEY

Bournemouth plot big-money summer raid for Celtic star

BOURNEMOUTH are prepared to shell out £20million to land top transfer target Kieran Tierney from Celtic.

The English Premier League club are in the market for a left-back this summer.

And Sportsmail understands the Scotland international tops a shortlist of three or four targets for the position.

Under contract until 2023, Tierney (right) has so far shown no inclination to leave his boyhood club. Tottenham and Manchester United have also been linked with moves for the

20-year-old but it’s unclear if he would move to the south-coast club. Discussing his summer transfer targets after leading his side to the top half of the English top flight, however, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe last night refused to rule out a bid to test the water this summer, telling Sky Sports: ‘I think we’ve had half an eye on the transfer market from probably January onwards. ‘You are never totally out of the market — you are analysing and seeing what you can and can’t do, watching potential players all the time. ‘We have a good knowledge of what could be out there, what players we could recruit. ‘It’s going to be a summer where we are going to have to be patient.’ Asked specifically if Tierney was on his list, Howe grinned and refused to answer. ‘I’m not thinking of anyone other than Celtic just now,’ said Tierney recently. ‘I’m enjoying my career here. I’ve just signed a six-year deal, so if that doesn’t say long-term, I don’t know what does.’ Meanwhile, Celtic have signed Dundee goalkeeper Scott Bain on a permanent four-year deal. The 26-year-old joined the Parkhead club in January on loan and has made six appearances. Bain, who made his Celtic debut against Rangers on March 11, says he is happy to remain with the Premiership champions. Speaking to the club’s website, Bain said: ‘I’m delighted. It’s more than I obviously expected when I first came in. I’m over the moon.’