CHERRIES are "weighing up a big-money January bid" for Celtic star Callum McGregor, according to The Scottish Sun.

The tabloid reported the 25-year-old central midfielder had been considered by Eddie Howe after scout Mark Burchill watched him in last week's Betfred Cup Final.

However, The Scottish Sun says it would take "huge money" for Celtic to consider selling McGregor.

The Glaswegian star came through the Hoops' youth ranks before spending the 2013-14 season on loan at Notts County.

He returned to Celtic and scored on his first-team debut in a Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavík.

The Scotland international has played 198 games and scored 34 goals for his hometown club.

McGregor featured alongside Cherries ace Ryan Fraser in Scotland's UEFA Nations League wins against Israel and Albania last month.

The Dorset club's reported interest came after Howe's midfield options diminished in recent weeks.

Lewis Cook is out for six to nine months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, while Dan Gosling has been absent from the matchday squad with a knee problem since last month's defeat to Arsenal.