Bournemouth May Part Ways with Alex Scott This January

Bournemouth's Alex Scott has made quite an impact, tallying seven goals and seven assists in 95 appearances since joining the club. Now, the club is open to the idea of selling the talented England midfielder in January, but with some key stipulations. Scott, just 23, has been eager to leave the Vitality Stadium after turning down two contract offers last season. Despite his desire to move, Bournemouth had firmly stated he was not for sale during the recent international break. However, following discussions with his representatives, sources indicate that the Cherries would consider selling Scott if a bid of around £100 million comes in during the January window. Another factor in the decision will be the club's standing in the Premier League. If Bournemouth finds itself in a relegation battle, they may decide to hang onto Scott to aid in their fight for survival. This marks a notable change in Bournemouth's approach, especially after a summer where they turned down interest from many top-tier clubs. Every member of the Premier League's 'big six' reportedly reached out, but Bournemouth made it clear that Scott was not available. Chelsea made an early attempt with a £60 million offer, which included additional add-ons, but that was swiftly rejected. Liverpool is still keen on Scott, bolstered by manager Andoni Iraola's ties to the player and Bournemouth's management. Meanwhile, Chelsea has received positive signals from Scott's camp about pursuing a potential deal. Currently, Scott is sidelined for at least a month due to a thigh injury he sustained during England's dominant 7-0 victory over Croatia in the Nations League. He remains on the contract he signed when he joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023 for £25 million, which runs until 2028. The decision to entertain Scott's departure is bittersweet for the club. They began the season asserting that their key players, Scott included, would not be sold before 2027. Yet, they’ve come to terms that they might let him go if their asking price is met. Bournemouth can also point to the current market trends, where fees for midfielders have skyrocketed. Three players have recently switched clubs for more than £100 million, so the Cherries feel justified in their valuation of Scott. A recent report highlighted that spending on defensive midfielders soared by 191% to €1.38 billion, with the average fee climbing 156% to €9.9 million, the highest for any position. There’s also frustration within the club regarding Scott's injury, as he entered the England camp with tightness that only worsened. This follows a serious injury to fellow player Kroupi, who has yet to play this season and is not expected to return until November. New manager Marco Rose is still searching for his first league victory, with the 5-1 defeat to Chelsea marking a low point in his tenure. However, there is hope for improvement, especially considering that Iraola faced an even longer winless streak when he started. Excitement is also building around Bournemouth's Europa League campaign, which kicked off with a thrilling win against Real Sociedad. The journey continues with a home fixture against Sturm Graz coming up on Thursday.