Manchester United have made direct contact with Bournemouth about sealing a deal to sign midfield star Alex Scott, according to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella.
The Red Devils have made it a priority to bolster their midfield this summer, but have missed out on top targets Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes to Man City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, having refused to meet their asking prices.
United are now looking at alternatives in the market and have identified the Englishman as a potential option heading into the new season.
Man Utd Make Contact to Sign Alex Scott
Scott, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, is entering the final two years of his contract at the Vitality Stadium, and is someone the Cherries are desperate to keep hold of after losing Antoine Semenyo and Andoni Iraola since the turn of the year.
The central midfielder is understood to be open to leaving this summer for a new challenge, but Bournemouth do not want to lose another key player and are keen to offer him a new contract to tie his long-term future to the club. They’ve also slapped an £80m asking price on his head to deter any interested parties, using the fees of Fernandes and Anderson as a measuring stick.
It’s reported by the BBC that Man Utd have in fact made ‘direct contact’ with Bournemouth about a deal for the 22-year-old, but the response they received at the time was that he is not for sale under any circumstances in this transfer window.
While talks over a new deal haven’t progressed, the club are planning to keep him for at least another season, leaving Man Utd forced to look at even more alternative options, having missed out on yet another midfield target during their summer rebuild attempt.
Scott is believed to be open to a move to Old Trafford, with Champions League football expected to be a key pulling point.
Scott and Mainoo Pairing is Lightweight
While Scott is undoubtedly a top, top midfield talent, a midfield pairing of him and Kobbie Mainoo would certainly have it’s flaws. Both players like to carry the ball from deeper positions and are more attack-minded, although they are both capable of doing the dirty work too.
But in a league that is so big on physicality, it may be a bit lightweight as a starting pairing, and Man Utd must look to address that issue with any other midfield signings they make, or risk struggling throughout the campaign.
Ederson is set to arrive from Atalanta which could help, while there is also interest in Carlos Baleba and Aurelien Tchouameni, but it seems that Scott is the man at the top of their wishlist currently.