Bournemouth could sanction £100m Alex Scott transfer in January window

Bournemouth are prepared to sanction the sale of midfielder Alex Scott in the January transfer window if a bid of around £100m is received. This marks a major change in the club's position after they firmly rejected offers for the 23-year-old England international throughout the summer.

Senior sources have confirmed the club's new stance, stating, "Bournemouth are willing to sanction Scott's sale if an offer of about £100m arrives in January." Chelsea and Liverpool are the clubs most strongly linked with a move, with Chelsea having seen a structured bid worth up to £64m turned down before the season began. Scott himself has been pushing for a move since rejecting two contract offers at the end of last season, with his current deal running until 2028.

Injury complicates timing

Any potential move is complicated by Scott's current injury status. He sustained a thigh injury while playing 70 minutes for England in their 7-0 Nations League win over Croatia during the recent international break. He is expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks, casting uncertainty over his availability and match fitness for the January window. There is understood to be some frustration within the club that the issue worsened while he was on international duty. His absence is a blow to a squad that has conceded 11 goals in six games.

Club context and valuation

The decision comes with Bournemouth in a precarious league position, sitting 18th in the Premier League with just three points from their opening six matches. Their goal difference stands at minus six following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend, the lowest point so far in new manager Marco Rose's tenure. The club's condition for a sale includes being in a comfortable league position, meaning their current struggles near the bottom, visible in the full standings, could yet see them decide they need Scott to aid their survival bid.

Their £100m valuation aligns with a soaring market for midfielders. A recent TransferRoom report highlighted that spending on defensive midfielders has risen dramatically. Bournemouth can point to the fees commanded by other players in the position as they seek a similar landmark sum for Scott, who they signed from Bristol City for £25m in 2023.

The club had entered the season insisting none of their prized assets would be sold before the summer of 2027. However, their difficult start and Scott's contract situation, with 2027 marking his final year, have prompted a rethink. While talks on a new deal were held in April, they are not currently ongoing.

Next steps and live context

All interested clubs were previously told not to make an approach, but that barrier is now lowered. Chelsea have previously had encouragement from Scott's representatives, while Liverpool's strong relationship with Bournemouth, maintained by former Cherries coach Andoni Iraola, could give them an advantage. Other members of the Premier League's so-called 'big six' showed varying degrees of interest over the summer, though Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are believed to have moved on to other targets.

For now, the focus returns to the pitch as Bournemouth prepare for a key home match against 17th-placed Sunderland on October 18, the next fixture on their fixtures list. The club's immediate future, and potentially Scott's, could be shaped by their form in the coming weeks before the January window opens.

The report in full is at bbc.co.uk