Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal explore move for Alex Scott

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have made exploratory contact with Bournemouth about midfielder Alex Scott, as the clubs assess a possible January transfer for the 23-year-old. Liverpool and Chelsea are reported to be the keenest to move in January, while Arsenal would prefer to wait until the summer.

Bournemouth are said to be reluctant to sell midseason but would consider a sufficiently substantial offer. The club’s reported position is that a fee above £100 million would be required, and people close to Bournemouth have dismissed £80 million as enough to prompt negotiations. No formal January bid or decision by Bournemouth is reported.

Scott has rejected two contract offers and is understood to be unwilling to sign a new deal. He is also reported to be content to remain at Bournemouth for the rest of the season if no transfer is agreed. His existing contract has 18 months remaining, a factor cited in the club’s reported willingness to consider an offer before his value could fall in the summer.

Bournemouth’s valuation is attributed to the cost of finding a replacement, the £25 million the club paid Bristol City for Scott in 2023, and a sell-on payment due to his former club....