Bournemouth have “rejected an enquiry” from Arsenal for midfielder Alex Scott, according to reports.
BBC journalist Sami Mokbel, who is a trusted source when it comes to the Gunners, claims that Mikel Arteta’s side were told in no uncertain terms that the player is not for sale.
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Scott is believed to be one of 5 targets that the London club are considering to strengthen their midfield, along with Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
However, the majority supporters on X don’t believe the Bournemouth player would add much to the current squad:
This player is simply not good enough for Arsenal. We shouldn’t have wasted any time on him he’s a classic one-season wonder. All that hype for an Englishman who ultimately delivers no real football. Absolute waste. 🚮
— AFCHive (@ArsenalgirlO2) June 29, 2026
Forget about this guy and Bruno G.
Get Neil El Aynaoui
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) June 30, 2026
He no better than skelly or zubamendi
— Tony Coll (@TonyColl9) June 29, 2026
Arsenal should do everything to sign Bruno G from Newcastle and leave all this others midfielder first
— P.0π² (@PO_1900) June 29, 2026
I think it is just a smokescreen.
— Daveafc (@daveafc_) June 29, 2026
Why do Arsenal want the midfielder?
Cost and availability have definitely played a role in the Gunners’ pursuit of Scott. Despite Bournemouth’s current stance, there are suggestions that the player could be let go for £60m.
The 22-year-old has two years left on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, and if he doesn’t put pen to paper on a new deal, his value will soon begin to depreciate. It has led to other teams, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea, taking a keen interest in him as well.
Alternatives, such as Mateus Fernandes, Tonali and Bouaddi, are expected to cost more than Scott, and Arteta’s team need an alternative if their move for Guimaraes doesn’t come off.
Scott could add depth in a key position
One of the reasons why the Gunners are so keen on adding another midfielder to the first-team squad is due to an overreliance on Declan Rice.
The 27-year-old is among the best in the world in his position, but he played almost every game last season, and he has also recently admitted that he played whilst carrying an injury for several months.
Taking some of the pressure off Rice (and to a lesser extent Martin Zubimendi) is the main driving force behind pursuing both Scott and Guimaraes.
Of course, the club need to strengthen other areas (especially the left wing), so it remains to be seen if one of these players can be brought in for a price that Arsenal are willing to pay.