U-turn at Bournemouth! Cherries open the door to £100m+ Scott sale as Chelsea and Liverpool circle
The Alex Scott saga has taken a dramatic twist. Bournemouth are now open to selling their prized midfielder in the January transfer window, a significant softening of a stance that saw them refuse to even put a price on the 23-year-old just two months ago.
Details: According to Standard Sport's Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea and Liverpool remain firmly interested in Scott, who has already rejected two contract offers from the Cherries. With his deal running until June 2028 and the clock ticking, Bournemouth would demand more than £100 million to sanction a mid-season sale — a figure that would shatter the club's transfer record.
The reversal is remarkable. In August, Bournemouth refused to even discuss a price for Scott, telling Chelsea in no uncertain terms that another approach would make no difference. The Blues saw a £64 million bid rejected in July, and as recently as last month the south-coast club were briefing that they had 'no intention' of entertaining January offers.
What has changed is the contract standoff. Scott's current deal expires in June 2028, meaning January marks the point where he enters the final 18 months of his contract and his price begins to fall. The England international has rejected two extension proposals, and Bournemouth now face a choice between cashing in at their inflated valuation or risking a heavily depreciated asset next summer.
Both suitors have strong cards to play. Chelsea view Scott as the ideal long-term partner for Moisés Caicedo in Xabi Alonso's double pivot — the club's failure to land a replacement for Enzo Fernández after his deadline-day move to Manchester City has made the position a priority. Liverpool's interest carries an additional connection: former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is now in charge at Anfield and knows Scott's game better than anyone.
It's worth noting that Scott's stock has never been higher. The Guernsey-born midfielder earned his first England caps this autumn, starting the 7-0 Nations League rout of Croatia and earning praise from Thomas Tuchel, though a thigh injury picked up on international duty is expected to keep him out for around five weeks.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
