BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Bournemouth's Ryan Christie (L) and Alex Scott celebrate after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Bournemouth's Ryan Christie (L) and Alex Scott celebrate after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. Bournemouth won 3-2.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott has been described as Liverpool’s “top target” to address their defensive midfield needs, but they can’t pay what is required to test the Cherries’ resolve.
Liverpool’s need for a defensive midfielder was put under the spotlight after the draw at Newcastle, with their current options all inclined to gravitate forward of the ball.
Andoni Iraola didn’t state a midfield signing would fail to fix Liverpool’s issues, but that it was more a case of needing to “adapt as a team.”
Reports, however, have maintained that a midfielder is not on the agenda this summer, with securing wingers remaining the priority before the September 1 deadline.
According to the Independent‘s Miguel Delaney, though, “multiple sources say” Bournemouth‘s Scott is Liverpool’s “top target” for the defensive midfield role.
The “complication,” however, is that Liverpool “can’t currently pay the kind of fee” to make Bournemouth consider a sale, mooted to be around £90 million.
There is “a sense,” therefore, that Liverpool will wait until next year and “make do,” as they have after failing to land Moises Caicedo for Jurgen Klopp and Martin Zubimendi for Arne Slot.
Chelsea had a £64 million bid rejected for Scott earlier this summer, but reporter Ben Jacobs, among others, states the Cherries “remain confident” of keeping the 23-year-old.
Notably, Delaney also goes on to add that “current thinking from various sources” is that Liverpool will end up with a “net addition of two” to their squad, “potentially” meaning three signings and one sale.
Alex Scott is not a specialist defensive midfielder
The link to Scott is an ‘easy’ connection to make, as he was the seventh-most used player during Iraola’s time at Bournemouth, becoming a key figure over 89 appearances under the Spaniard.
The more prevalent issue, however, is that he too is not a specialist defensive midfielder, and Liverpool do not need another box-to-box profile.
He is versatile and ranked highly in defensive metrics in the Premier League last season, but he is not the type of player to sit and provide protection.
Like Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, Scott is a ball-carrying midfielder who can operate in a double pivot, with Tyler Adams predominantly operating as the defence-minded player at Bournemouth.
The 23-year-old is recognised for his driving runs and engine, rather than his positioning and offering defensive coverage, which Liverpool need.
It is unlikely, therefore, that the Reds would pursue any deal as they already have an abundance of Scott’s profile in their squad.
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Hughes, Minteh collage
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Barcola Minteh Mbaye
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NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)