Chelsea flag (Chelsea Liverpool target)
Chelsea flag (Chelsea Liverpool target)
Liverpool retain a serious interest in a Premier League midfielder who knows head coach Andoni Iraola well, according to Sky Sports.
Liverpool’s midfield changed in August when Curtis Jones joined Inter Milan in a deal reportedly worth around €35 million, including add-ons. The club’s recruitment is also under new leadership, with Julian Ward appointed sporting director on September 26.
The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool have not yet decided whether to make a move, adding that Ward is still establishing the club’s transfer targets.
After Liverpool failed to retain their Premier League title under Arne Slot last season and finished fifth, Iraola is looking to make his mark at Anfield. His start to life on Merseyside has been encouraging.
Despite sitting nine points behind leaders Manchester City, Iraola has lost only one match in all competitions this season: last weekend’s defeat to Enzo Maresca’s City at Anfield.
The Spaniard is working with a thin squad, with injuries to Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai adding to the long-term absences of Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni.
With places to fill in the squad ahead of the January transfer window, Liverpool have maintained their interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
The 23-year-old England international joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in August 2023 for around £25 million. The Daily Mail reports that he and Iraola continue to enjoy a positive relationship.
Liverpool are not the only club monitoring Scott. The Mirror reported that Chelsea are leading the race to sign him ahead of Liverpool after seeing bids worth around £60 million rejected in the summer. One of those offers was reportedly worth up to £64 million, including add-ons.
Bournemouth rejected Chelsea’s advances and told potential suitors that Scott would not leave before the end of the summer transfer window. It was reported that the club had no intention of selling him in January.
That stance has since softened. BBC Sport reported on Tuesday that Bournemouth are now open to a January sale under certain conditions, following talks with Scott’s representatives.
The reported asking price varies. BBC Sport says Bournemouth would want around £100 million, while Sky Sports reports that an offer exceeding £80 million, including add-ons, would have to be taken seriously.
Sky also adds that Bournemouth may consider selling if they are practically safe from relegation.
That condition matters. Bournemouth are 18th in the Premier League, with three points from six games, and suffered a 5-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.
Scott’s contract runs until June 2028, and he has turned down two offers to extend it. Sky Sports reports that he will not push for a move but is “keen to explore his options with bigger clubs”.
Chelsea and Liverpool are not the only clubs mentioned in connection with Scott. Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham moved on to other targets over the summer, while Real Madrid have also been mentioned as a potential destination.
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