Cherries boss Lee Bradbury looks set to switch his striker search to a new target after failing in an attempt to sign Crawley Town hotshot Matt Tubbs.

Bradbury, who tried unsuccessfully to bring the Verwood-raised striker to the Seward Stadium in August, renewed his interest earlier this week.

But despite Cherries tabling a sizeable bid for the 27-year-old, their overtures were rejected by the owners of the high-flying League Two outfit.

Tubbs, who played alongside Bradbury during a loan spell with Cherries in 2008, was on the books at Dean Court as a youngster and is currently the leading marksman in the fourth flight.

Speaking to the Daily Echo last night, Crawley manager Steve Evans said: “Bournemouth made an offer but it was firmly rejected. We told them it fell short of our valuation. Matt is a fantastic player.”

Although details of the latest bid have not been made public, it is understood Crawley value Tubbs, who has 18 months to run on his current contract, at around £500,000.

Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell told the Echo: “We made a bid for him and they turned it down.

“We offered our best price first time round and they said they wanted more. We felt we offered a fair price.”

Bradbury is keen to bolster his striking resources as Cherries look to make a push for the League One play-offs during the second half of the season.

And while Cherries have also bid for a striker at a Championship club, Bradbury has cast his net elsewhere in search of added firepower.

Bradbury and chairman Mitchell are keen to conclude the club’s transfer business ahead of Cherries’ League One clash with Notts County on Saturday.

Mitchell added: “We want one more addition, another striker to complement the ones we have got, and are hoping to bring in someone soon.

“We were hoping to get Tubbs and have also bid for a player at a Championship club but they are reluctant to let him go until they find a replacement. If they were to come back and say they have found somebody, there is every chance we would do the deal.”

Bradbury could have to do without Charlie Sheringham, with the striker likely to miss the remainder of the campaign following ankle surgery yesterday.

Mitchell, meanwhile, quashed speculation suggesting Cherries had tabled an improved offer for Swindon Town winger Matt Ritchie.