Liverpool have moved ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Alex Scott from Bournemouth. According to the Daily Mail, the England international could leave the Vitality Stadium in January.
Standard Sport previously reported that the Cherries' stance had softened on selling one of their star assets, having refused all approaches for the 23-year-old over the summer. That is now not the case, with Marco Rose's side expected to listen to offers for the midfielder in the winter window.
£100m price tag and Chelsea's rejected bids
It is believed that £100million is the fee that the Dorset outfit will hold out for. Chelsea saw two offers rebuffed before the start of the season as Xabi Alonso looked to strengthen his engine room. The Blues went as high as £64m, but saw that turned down by their Premier League rivals, who were insistent on keeping their young star.
The Mail now claims that Cherries sources indicate Andoni Iraola's Liverpool lead the queue to land the England international. A move to Merseyside would reunite Scott with his former boss, which is believed to be a key reason why the Reds have moved ahead of Chelsea in their pursuit.
Reunion with Iraola and midfield issues
Iraola took over at Anfield from Arne Slot in the summer after a superb stint managing Bournemouth, leading them to a maiden European campaign as they compete in the Europa League this term. The Reds have had issues with their midfield in recent times, with Alexis Mac Allister yet to sign a new deal, while Curtis Jones was sold to Inter Milan without being replaced.
Scott's contract at Bournemouth expires in a year and a half's time, and he is currently sidelined with a thigh injury that he picked up on international duty; a niggle that his club were reportedly furious about.
