Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has urged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott for £60 million, arguing the 22-year-old represents better value than Elliot Anderson after Manchester City agreed a £116 million deal for the Nottingham Forest star.
City's record bid for Anderson
Manchester City had two offers for Anderson rejected by Forest before their £116 million bid was accepted on Thursday night. The England international will now undergo a medical ahead of his move to the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal have also expressed interest in signing Scott this summer, with Bournemouth demanding a £60 million fee for the player, who is also on Manchester United's shortlist.
Bent's verdict: Scott over Anderson
Speaking to talkSPORT, Bent said: 'Elliot Anderson for £120m or Alex Scott for £60m, I'm taking Alex Scott all day, every day. There's no way on the planet that Elliot Anderson is £60m better than Alex Scott, he's just not.' He added: 'I like Elliot Anderson, I think he's a top player but for that money, £120 million is crazy. He's been decent [at the World Cup] but not £120m. Alex Scott for £60m, I promise you now if I had the choice.'
Concerns over playing time at Arsenal
In a separate show, Bent acknowledged potential challenges for Scott at Arsenal: 'This is where transfer fees are crazy. Elliot Anderson is brilliant but I'm saying he's not £40m better than Alex Scott. If he comes to Arsenal, I'm just not sure where he plays because you've got [Martin] Zubimendi who is the holder, or [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, then you have [Declan] Rice as the No.8.'
Despite the competition, Bent believes Scott would still be a valuable addition: 'You know what though, I'd take him at Arsenal because he'll get so many minutes. He's a top player and, you never know, he can force his way in. He has had a wonderful season but I always think it's that next level. Going to play for Arsenal or Manchester United, when you're in the Champions League and all these different various competitions, the expectation goes through the roof.'
