CHERRIES are understood to have made Terrence Boyd their number one striker target after cooling interest in Malmo frontman Tokelo Rantie.

Boyd, who plays for Rapid Vienna, is believed to have already been the subject of one failed bid by the Dorset outfit, thought to have been in the region of £750,000.

The American international has scored twice in four games in the Austrian Bundesliga this season and was on the bench for USA's 4-3 friendly win against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Sarajevo on Wednesday.

Despite an initial rebuff, Cherries are expected to table an improved offer to Rapid Vienna - which would almost certainly be a club record should it be accepted.

However, they look set to face stiff competition for his services with at least one other British club also in the hunt for Boyd.

The 22-year-old German-born front-runner joined Rapid for 400,000 euro from Borussia Dortmund 13 months ago and netted 13 times in his first season in Austria.

Capped at under-20 and under-23 level by his country, Boyd is highly rated by USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and was an unused substitute in their midweek victory, a clash which saw Jozy Altidore hit a hat-trick for America and Manchester City's Edin Dzeko score twice for Bosnia.

Boyd earned a move to Rapid after catching the eye at Borussia Dortmund where he scored freely for their reserves before stepping into the first-team fold.

With the Austrian season having started last month, he opened his account when he bagged a double in Rapid Vienna'a victory over Wierner Neustadt three weeks ago.

Cherries are understood to have turned their attentions to Boyd after having second thoughts about pursuing Malmo striker Rantie.

Although the 22-year-old was believed to have been high on manager Eddie Howe's wish-list, any possible move for the player is now thought to be dead in the water.

Cherries reportedly had two previous bids for Rantie rejected by the Swedish club and decided against tabling a third offer following talks between boss Howe and club directors.

While chairman Eddie Mitchell told the Daily Echo that funds would be available to strengthen the squad, Cherries are understood to have cast their net abroad due to some of the exorbitant wages being asked by players in England.