Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all made contact with Bournemouth over an Alex Scott transfer, setting up a three-way battle for one of the most highly rated young midfielders in the Premier League.
The i Paper first reported the story, revealing that all three clubs have sounded out the Cherries about a possible January move for the 23-year-old England international. The enquiries are described as exploratory for now, with each club keen to find out exactly what it would take for Bournemouth to sell.
Scott has indicated he is not willing to sign a new contract at the Vitality Stadium, having already rejected two offers over the summer. With just 18 months left on his deal, which runs until June 2028, Bournemouth know his value is likely to fall by next summer — but they are in no rush to cash in.
Alex Scott transfer: three clubs, one £100m question
Bournemouth hold a remarkably strong negotiating position. The south-coast club harbour realistic hopes of Champions League football this season, and reports suggest Scott is happy to stay for the rest of the campaign.
That confidence is reflected in the price. Bournemouth’s current position is that it would take more than £100m to prise the midfielder away in mid-season, and sources close to the club have dismissed talk that £80m would be enough to start talks.
The valuation also reflects what Bournemouth stand to lose. They paid Bristol City £25m for Scott, and the deal entitles his old club to 20 per cent of any fee, so the Cherries would want a huge return before sanctioning a sale. Chelsea know that only too well — the Blues saw several offers of around £70m turned down in the summer.
Arsenal want to wait — Chelsea and Liverpool do not
The three suitors are not moving at the same speed. The i Paper understands Liverpool and Chelsea are the keenest to strike in January, while Arsenal would prefer to wait until the summer.
That could yet change. A January bidding war could force Mikel Arteta’s side to act sooner than planned, and many observers have long considered Chelsea favourites for the midfielder’s signature. Liverpool, meanwhile, have emerged as serious contenders too.
For Arsenal, the interest comes amid questions over their midfield, with reports also linking Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino with moves away. The Gunners were already interested in Scott last summer and approached Bournemouth then, only to be told he was not for sale at any price. Tottenham and Manchester City also showed interest in the summer before moving on once Bournemouth made their stance clear.
Why Bournemouth hold all the cards
Scott earns around £50,000 a week at Bournemouth, and a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs could see his wages triple. But the player himself is not pushing for an exit, and a source told The i Paper it was far from a “done deal” that he would leave in January.
Bournemouth’s stance is simple: they do not need to sell, they do not want to sell mid-season, and any club that wants to change their mind will have to pay a nine-figure fee to do it. With three of England’s biggest clubs circling, the Cherries can afford to wait — and the longer the race runs, the higher the price could climb.
The Alex Scott transfer saga is set to run through January, with Bournemouth’s £100m stance the first test of how serious the three suitors really are.
For more on the Alex Scott transfer and the January window, check today’s predictions.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC0, Timmy96) — collage by SportsBuddy
