via Reuters
Alex Scott is likely to be sidelined for the next two months after picking up an injury on international duty with England and GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs believes that could lead to a tough January transfer window for Bournemouth.
Scott was the subject of much interest in the summer transfer window, with a number of top Premier League clubs linked with signing him. But the Cherries' stance remained firm, that he was not for sale.
Bournemouth have been hoping to tie the 23-year-old down to a new contract at the Vitality Stadium, without any luck thus far, with the player pausing negotiations.
Scott made his debut for the Three Lions during the international break coming off the bench for 20 minutes against Czechia before making his full debut in the 7-0 demolition of Croatia, before picking up a thigh injury that has now been diagnosed as keeping him out of action until December.
That may lead to suitors from the summer transfer window looking elsewhere when the January transfer window opens.
Speaking about Scott's future in his latest GMS newsletter, Jacobs said: "Scott's future for 2027 is going to be a big talking point.
"Bournemouth's perspective is clear: that they don't want to sell in January, much like they didn't want to sell over the summer.
"There will be clubs in January looking for a midfielder, Chelsea, most notably because they didn't get Lamine Camara on deadline day, and Enzo Fernandez went to Manchester City, but Bournemouth still intend to keep Scott until the end of the season, and if they can, beyond. He's contracted until 2028."
Bournemouth may demand three figures to sell Scott
Alex Scott
Alex Scott
Bournemouth placed an £80million valuation on Scott's shoulders in the summer, although Jacobs believes this was the number to get the club to the negotiating table, not necessarily a value they were willing to sell at.
He added: "Although true to my knowledge that maybe internally, there was this number, that Scott was worth about £80million, that's not the same as saying they would have accepted an £80million bid, because you take that market valuation and then you look at all the other deals and the fact the club doesn't want to sell.
The likelihood is that, to start a conversation with Bournemouth, they would have wanted £100million or more.
"And even then, Bill Foley still might have turned a bit of that magnitude down because Bournemouth's perspective is essentially that they've got European football, the project is moving in a very promising direction, and they've got a new manager in Marco Rose that the club wanted to back."
Whether the Cherries entertain any offers in January remains to be seen, but there is a real possibility that Scott departs the south coast club by the summer of 2027 and Jacobs has issued a run-down on the clubs that could vie for his signature.
"Heading into 2027, we're going to have suitors for Scott," he said.
"Chelsea are expected to be one of the clubs, Liverpool as well, although they also like Manu Kone and Lamine Camara. Then you have some other clubs, such as Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal.
"Arsenal could still be in the market for another midfielder in summer 2027.
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Fees correct prior to summer 2026
"And the same could even be said for Manchester United, although naturally Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have all arrived at the football club, so Manchester United seemingly well covered, but you can never say never, especially if Bruno Fernandes, for example, was to depart in summer 2027.
"So there's probably going to be a mad race, particularly from Premier League clubs for Alex Scott. I also heard that Bayern Munich are another club that appreciate the Bournemouth midfielder, but it would be difficult to do anything mid-season."
Declan Rice (Arsenal)