Bournemouth have re-entered talks with Bristol City for young midfielder Alex Scott.
The Cherries had previously seen a £15million offer rejected for the 19-year-old, but Andoni Iraola’s side are now in fresh contact with Scott over a deal worth £25million according to The Telegraph.
As things stand, it looks as though Bournemouth are set to beat the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United to his signature.
The midfielder made 49 appearances for Nigel Pearson’s side last year, scoring twice and assisting five as the Robins finished 14th in the Championship.
His performances during the last campaign earned him the individual accolade of Young Player of the Year in the second division, beating the likes of Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo who excelled whilst with Sunderland.
Scott’s recognition is growing seemingly as fast as his potential is rising, so it is no surprise that Bournemouth have tested the Robins’ resolve this summer. It will likely be the first of many bids and enquiries submitted for the England U20 international.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola hailed the youngster as an ‘unbelievable player’ following the Cityzens’ FA Cup tie against the Robins last season. He is not the type to throw around such gleaming comments for the sake of it either, so that is praise from the highest order.
The Robins’ Scott valuation
Nigel Pearson, the Robins’ manager, recently stated that the club’s £25million valuation of the player would have to be met if Scott were to move on this summer, even suggesting the fee could rise above that based off his pre-season performances.
“I don’t know how many bids there have been, as far as I am concerned we have made our stance quite clear as a football club and that is for somebody to gain the opportunity to talk to him we are talking about £25million,” said Pearson.
“We do not want to sell him, that is why we are pricing him the way that we are, and actually having seen him since the start of pre-season we should be asking £30million for him, never mind £25million.”
Should Bournemouth get this deal over the line, it could be a huge statement of intent for the future.