Bournemouth willing to consider selling Alex Scott for around £100m in January
On 13 October 2026, Bournemouth said they would be open to selling England midfielder Alex Scott, who has been based at the Vitality Stadium, in the January transfer window under certain conditions. Senior sources added the 23-year-old — who has seven goals and seven assists in 95 appearances for Bournemouth in all competitions — would be allowed to leave if an offer of about £100m is lodged and the club's Premier League position permits it.
Scott has been pressing to depart since rejecting two contract offers at the end of last season, a stance that prompted Bournemouth to insist during the recent international break that he was not for sale. After a final round of talks with his representatives, senior figures at the club agreed they would sanction a sale in January only if their valuation is met and the team's league circumstances allow it. The club had previously maintained that none of their prized assets — including Scott, Rayan and Eli Junior Kroupi — would be sold before the summer of 2027.
Bournemouth rebuffed interest during the summer from a number of clubs, with every member of the Premier League's so-called "big six" believed to have made contact to varying degrees. All clubs were reportedly told not to make an offer or approach the player, although Chelsea tested the waters with an initial £60m bid that could have risen to £64m in add-ons; that offer was rejected. Chelsea and Liverpool are believed to retain interest, while Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham moved on to other targets.
Sources named Liverpool as being in a strong negotiating position, citing manager Andoni Iraola's close relationships with his former club, including ties with Scott and figures in Bournemouth's leadership. Scott's representatives have previously given Chelsea encouragement to pursue a deal, the club added. Bournemouth say their £100m target is informed by a market that has seen unusually high spending on midfielders, including three players who have commanded fees of more than £100m in the position.
A TransferRoom report released on Tuesday was cited by the club to underline market movement, saying spending on defensive midfielders rose by "191% to 1.38bn euros , while the average fee increased by 156% to 9.9m euros - the highest average fee of any position." That market context is one reason the Cherries are seeking a fee in the region of £100m for Scott.
Scott is currently sidelined for at least a month with a thigh injury sustained during England's 7-0 win over Croatia in the Nations League; the club said he entered the England camp carrying tightness which then worsened, leaving him out for about six weeks. He remains on the same contract he signed when joining Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023 for a fee of £25m, with that deal due to expire in 2028. There is internal frustration at the club that the injury occurred while he was on international duty.
Bournemouth have also been affected by a serious pre-season injury to Eli Junior Kroupi, which has caused him to miss the entire season so far with a return not expected until November. New manager Marco Rose is yet to record a league victory, with the 5-1 defeat by Chelsea described as the lowest point of his tenure; the report notes that Iraola endured an even longer winless run when he first took charge. There remains hope at the club that results can improve, while supporters have been given encouragement by Bournemouth's start to their Europa League campaign.
The club say they will consider offers of about £100m in January but may retain Scott if their Premier League position requires him; Bournemouth's Europa League campaign continues with a home game against Sturm Graz on Thursday.