Manchester United have received a boost in their pursuit of Alex Scott as the 22-year-old midfielder is pushing to leave AFC Bournemouth – but Chelsea pose a major threat to any deal, according to a new report.
Leading Target
The Red Devils have identified Scott as their new priority target to strengthen Michael Carrick’s engine room after being priced out of moves for players such as Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. Despite having already agreed moves for Brazilian dynamo Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Aston Villa maestro Youri Tielemans, Carrick is intent on adding a third midfielder to his depleted unit.
The departure of Casemiro has been exacerbated by the potentially season-ending knee injury Manuel Ugarte sustained for Uruguay at the World Cup. The 25-year-old Montevideo native was set to join the Brazil international through the exit door, only for this plan to be derailed.
This situation has created a greater sense of urgency to ensure three midfielders arrive at Old Trafford this summer ahead of a return to the Champions League next season. The BBC describes Scott as the “current main target”, though Bournemouth are adamant the England under-21 international will not be leaving the Vitality Stadium this summer.
Scott wants to go
With Scott’s current deal expiring in 2028, talks have been ongoing for several months over a new contract. Bournemouth want this to include a release clause to help protect their position – the same approach adopted with Antoine Semenyo last year.
Yet Scott has turned down these proposals, with The Standard revealing he is “now keen to move on” from the south coast amid growing interest from England’s elite.
The report states Chelsea have seen a £64 million offer rejected for the Manchester United target. Arsenal and Manchester City are also mentioned as suitors, while Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have both previously been linked.
And while Scott’s willingness to leave Bournemouth helps United’s pursuit, Chelsea’s firm interest does not. The Standard claims he “wants to join” the Blues as the west London club are in the “market for a midfielder, with Enzo Fernandez having expressed his desire to leave the club.”
However, there have been no offers for Fernandez yet – and Chelsea’s exorbitant asking price of £120 million will prove prohibitive for any potential suitors, including Real Madrid. Whether Scott would be willing to move to Stamford Bridge without the Argentine first departing remains to be seen.
Nonetheless, Chris Wheeler (Daily Mail) claims United would likely “need to sell players” were Bournemouth to open the door to his exit anyway. Chelsea, by contrast, have no issue laying down big money for their targets – as the record-breaking pursuit of Morgan Rogers proves.
Final Thoughts
Described as an “absolute diamond” by one of his former coaches, Scott has quietly emerged as one of the Premier League’s most well-rounded midfielders since arriving at the Vitality Stadium from Bristol City for £25 million in 2023. Capable of playing in virtually every role in the engine room, Manchester United’s interest – along with virtually every other top club in England – is understandable, particularly given his age and homegrown status.
The Guernsey native is valued at £42 million, though Bournemouth are understood to consider him worth close to double that if they are to be forced to sell. Having signed Tielemans, a similarly versatile operator to Scott, alongside Kobbie Mainoo who plays in the same areas, it may be wiser for the Red Devils to target a natural No.6; a ground eater capable of dominating duels and controlling transitions.
Whether this player is available on the market this summer in the way that Scott is pushing to be is an entirely different proposition, however.
Featured image Michael Steele via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
