According to BBC Sport, Liverpool retain an interest in signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.
The Merseyside giants did not pursue a marquee signing to bolster their midfield department during the summer. They parted ways with Curtis Jones, but did not seek a possible upgrade.
The Reds could revisit their requirement in January, and BBC Sport claim that they retain an interest in Scott, who looks poised to leave Bournemouth during the winter transfer window.
The Cherries are ready to sanction his sale for £100 million, provided they don’t find themselves in a relegation battle. Liverpool could face direct competition from Chelsea for his services.
Difficult deal
Scott has been with Bournemouth since the summer of 2023, but last season was his most significant one. The 23-year-old became a consistent starter for the Cherries amid an injury crisis and has gone onto become a key player for them.
The Englishman played in a slightly deeper midfield role last term. He won almost 60% of his duels with an average of 2 tackles and 5 recoveries per game. He ended the campaign with 5 goal contributions for the South Coast outfit.
Scott has had a much better start with three goal involvements this season, but he will be sidelined for the next month, having picked up a thigh injury during the recent Nations League group stage where he made his senior England debut.
Liverpool currently have Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai as the regular central midfielders, but manager Andoni Iraola may want another marquee midfield signing, who can provide competition for places.
He played an influential role in Scott’s development during his three years as Bournemouth’s manager, and could persuade the Englishman to move to Anfield. However, Chelsea could pose the biggest threat in the player’s pursuit this winter.
Chelsea already failed with a bid worth £64 million for Scott over the summer. They have been handed encouragement by his agents and could very much return for his services as they seek to fill the void left by Enzo Fernandez’s departure.
The Blues could guarantee Scott with a starting role alongside Moises Caicedo in central midfield under manager Xabi Alonso. This could play a huge factor, given Scott may not be assured regular starts at Liverpool when Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are all fit.
Hence, Chelsea could have an upper hand over Liverpool in the race to sign the Bristol City graduate.
