Alex Scott Transfer: Arsenal Join Liverpool and Chelsea in Race
Arsenal have joined Liverpool and Chelsea in exploring a January move for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, setting up a potential transfer battle for one of English football’s highly rated young players.
The three clubs have contacted Bournemouth to establish the conditions for signing the 23-year-old, whose contract runs until the summer of 2028. However, their approaches are understood to be exploratory, with no agreement or advanced negotiations in place.
According to The i Paper, Liverpool and Chelsea are the most interested in securing Scott during the January window, while Arsenal would prefer to wait until the summer. That position could change if competition for the midfielder intensifies and a bidding war develops.
Bournemouth are reluctant to lose another key player midway through the season. They remain in contention for European qualification and are under no immediate pressure to sell, despite Scott’s reported reluctance to sign a contract extension after rejecting two offers over the summer.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea target Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott
The club are understood to value Scott at more than £100 million for a January departure. Suggestions that an offer of £80m could be enough to open negotiations have been dismissed by sources close to Bournemouth.
Their valuation reflects the difficulty and expense of finding a replacement, as well as the £25m they invested in bringing Scott from Bristol City. The Championship club are also entitled to 20 per cent of any transfer fee received by Bournemouth.
Chelsea previously had several offers in the region of £70m rejected during the summer, while Liverpool’s interest has now strengthened their position in the race. A potential connection with Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has also been cited as an additional factor behind Liverpool’s pursuit.
Arsenal’s involvement could further complicate the situation, although their preference for a summer move suggests they may not be prepared to meet Bournemouth’s January demands.
Scott is reportedly happy to remain at Bournemouth for the rest of the season, but his ambition to compete at the highest level is understood to be strong. With his contract entering its final 18 months, Bournemouth must also consider the possibility of his market value declining as the summer approaches.
Tottenham and Manchester City explored the possibility of signing him last summer before pursuing alternative targets. For now, Bournemouth remain in control of the situation, with any January departure likely to require a substantial offer.
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