Liverpool remains linked with a potential future move for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, but the Cherries have provided a damning update on the 23-year-old's situation
Alex Scott
Bournemouth will refuse to sell midfielder Alex Scott until next summer(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool will have to wait until next summer to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after the Cherries ruled out any January exit for the 23-year-old.
The Reds remain linked with a potential future move for the England international, who made his senior Three Lions bow in Tuesday's UEFA Nations League victory away to Czechia, amid talks of a potential reunion with head coach Andoni Iraola.
However, it isn't just Liverpool that has been mentioned in the same breath as Scott in recent months, as Premier League champion Arsenal and fellow London outfit Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in the former Bristol City star.
After Bournemouth stood firm on not allowing Scott to leave over the summer, despite the midfielder's desire to push for an exit from the south coast, attention has swiftly turned to what may happen in the upcoming January transfer window.
However, according to BBC Sport, Bournemouth is not willing to entertain any offers for Scott at the turn of the year, delaying any potential exit until next summer, once its league objectives have either been achieved or are no longer attainable.
The Cherries are competing on four fronts this season after securing European football for the first time in their history with a 6th-placed finish in the Premier League last term, earning them a place in the Europa League group stage.
Jon Martin of Real Sociedad is challenged by Alex Scott of Bournemouth during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and AFC Bournemouth
Scott recently impressed for Bournemouth against Real Sociedad in the Europa League - one of four front the Cherries are fighting on this season(Image: (Photo by David Ramos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Bournemouth also remains in the Carabao Cup, having comfortably overseen Championship newcomers Lincoln City 4-0 upon entering the competition in the third round earlier this month, while it will also harbor ambitions of progressing in the FA Cup at the start of next year.
With the addition of Thursday night football due to their Europa League qualification, however, there will be an extra demand on Marco Rose's squad, so keeping as many of its players as possible throughout the season will remain a top priority.
With this in mind, Bournemouth is reluctant to let its top players, in particular Scott, French forward Eli Junior Kroupi, and Brazilian winger Rayan, leave at any point before the end of the current campaign.
Whether this will put off any interested suitors, namely Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, from launching an audacious bid for Scott in January remains to be seen, especially if they believe they can test Bournemouth's resolve with a hefty bid.
The Cherries are believed to internally value Scott at $133 million (£100m), a figure heavily influenced by recent high-profile transfers, such as Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson moving for well over that amount.
Chelsea saw an $85m (£64m) bid for Scott rejected during the summer, and having failed to land Monaco's Lamine Camara on deadline day, remain keen on signing a new midfielder.
As for Liverpool, the club is also known to be targeting a midfielder in future transfer windows and, like Chelsea, retains an interest in Camara, though it will be hoping that Iraola's previous working relationship with Scott could be enough to get a deal for the Guernsey-born star across the line.