Manchester United 'earmark Bournemouth star as Joshua Zirkzee replacement'

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi with a view to sign the Frenchman in the summer.

Kroupi is currently in the midst of a breakout campaign at the Vitality Stadium, having already reached double figures in the league for the Cherries.

That tally represents the second-highest goalscoring campaign from a teenager in Premier League history, and one more goal would see him draw level with Wayne Rooney's maiden season at United in 2004/05.

The 19-year-old's performances this season have reportedly put him on United's radar, with the club looking to use the summer transfer window to build on what has been a positive second half of the season since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the dugout.

According to a report from TeamTalk, United sent scouts to Bournemouth's 2-1 win over Newcastle last weekend.

While a number of the players at St James' Park have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months, Kroupi is said to have been the central focus of the scouts' attention.

Kroupi still has several years remaining on the contract he signed when Bournemouth signed the starlet from Lorient for just £10million in February of last year.

United would likely need to pay a substantial fee to take him away from the south coast, though funds could be raised with Joshua Zirkzee linked with a move away from the Premier League.

Zirkzee is expected to leave United this summer after finding himself on the periphery since Carrick took the reins.

The Netherlands international hasn't started a league game for the club since the turn of the year and has netted just two goals in all competitions all season.