Bournemouth have said they are willing to sell England midfielder Alex Scott in January if a bid of around £100 million is presented, according to senior sources. The 23‑year‑old, who has scored seven goals and supplied seven assists in 95 appearances for the club, has been keen to depart since rejecting two contract offers at the end of last season. While the club denied any sale during the recent international break, it appears that after a final round of negotiations with Scott’s representatives, the Cherries are open to a deal that meets their valuation and takes into account the team’s league position.
The club’s willingness to consider a transfer is a marked shift from the summer, when Bournemouth turned down interest from a number of Premier League clubs. The “big six” – Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal – were all reported to have made inquiries, but the club told them not to approach the player. Chelsea’s initial £60 million offer, which rose to £64 million with add‑ons, was rejected. Liverpool and Chelsea are believed to still be interested, while the other clubs have moved on to different targets. The decision to entertain a sale now hinges on whether Bournemouth are struggling near the bottom of the table, in which case the club may feel the need to keep Scott to help secure Premier League survival.
Scott’s injury situation has also played a role in the club’s calculations. He has been sidelined for at least a month with a thigh injury sustained during England’s 7‑0 Nations League win over Croatia. The injury, which worsened while he was with the national side, has kept him out of action and may have influenced the club’s willingness to negotiate a transfer. He remains under the contract he signed when he joined from Bristol City in 2023 for a fee of £25 million, which runs until 2028.
The potential sale comes at a time when the market for midfielders has reached unprecedented levels. TransferRoom reports indicate that spending on defensive midfielders has jumped 191 % to €1.38 billion, with the average fee for the position rising 156 % to €9.9 million – the highest average fee of any position in the Premier League. Bournemouth are hoping to secure a similar figure for Scott, who has become one of the club’s most valuable assets.
With new manager Marco Rose yet to win a league match – his first defeat being a 5‑1 loss to Chelsea – the Cherries are looking for a boost to their squad. The club’s Europa League campaign, which began with a win over Real Sociedad, offers another avenue for success. If a £100 million bid materialises in January, Bournemouth may decide to accept it, especially if the team’s Premier League standing is precarious. The next steps will depend on the club’s assessment of the offer and their need to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season.