Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have made exploratory contact with Bournemouth regarding a January move for midfielder Alex Scott.
The 23-year-old England international is tied to the south coast club until the summer of 2028. He has indicated he is reluctant to sign a new contract.
Bournemouth value the midfielder at in excess of £100m. They rejected a £64m bid from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.
Head coach Marco Rose’s side are seventh in the Premier League. They intend to resist mid-season exits for their leading players while competing in the Europa League.
Clubs Battle for Scott in Winter Market
Chelsea consider themselves the favourites in the winter market, according to senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.
“With Alex Scott, Chelsea consider themselves the favourites in the winter market,” Jacobs said on the Market Madness podcast. He added that both the club and the player are in talks.
Liverpool and Arsenal face strategic decisions regarding whether to rival Chelsea immediately in an inflated market or wait until the summer transfer window.
“And then Liverpool and Arsenal would have a decision to make. Do they rival Chelsea in probably an inflated market for a player of Scott’s calibre, especially now he’s back fit and earlier than expected?” Jacobs said.
🚨 Arsenal join Liverpool and Chelsea in £100M transfer battle. Read more ⤵️https://t.co/Bf3Tiba5DX
Scott returned from a seven-week hamstring absence. He was named on the bench for Bournemouth’s match against Ipswich Town.
Bournemouth Demands High Fees for Scott Transfer
Bournemouth paid Bristol City £25m to sign Scott in August 2023. His former club retains a 20 per cent sell-on clause in any future negotiation.
🚨 Arsenal have joined Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. Bournemouth want over £100M for the 23-year-old, who has rejected two contract offers and has 18 months left on his deal. Liverpool and Chelsea favour a January move, while… pic.twitter.com/80mmHEOH6D
Sources close to Bournemouth dismissed suggestions that an offer of £80m would be sufficient to initiate talks.
Scott earns about £50,000 a week on the south coast. A transfer could triple his wages.
Chelsea and Liverpool are exploring a winter deal. Arsenal would prefer to wait until the conclusion of the season.
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has spoken publicly about the club’s attempts to keep hold of the midfielder. Foley said that his head had been turned by the ongoing speculation.
🚨 Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea have made contact with Bournemouth over a possible move for Alex Scott in the January transfer window, The i Paper understands. The initial enquiries are understood to be exploratory. The i Paper understands Liverpool & Chelsea are the keenest to… pic.twitter.com/SgyEVb1H3a
Liverpool are assessing their midfield options amid uncertainties surrounding other players. This may open a clearer path to regular minutes at Anfield than at the Emirates Stadium.