Transfer news: Arsenal, United and Chelsea are interested in Alex Scott in a £60m race
Transfer news: Arsenal have placed Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott under serious consideration as they assess midfield options heading into the summer transfer window. According to a report by TEAMtalk, the Gunners are actively monitoring Scott as a potential alternative to Martín Zubimendi, whose recent form has raised question marks internally. The 22-year-old contributed four goals and one assist across 39 appearances for the Cherries this season, consistently functioning as one of the Premier League’s more impressive young midfielders throughout the campaign.
After joining from Bristol City in 2023, Scott’s early Premier League period was disrupted by an MCL problem and a meniscus injury, but since returning to full fitness, he has developed into one of the league’s most exciting midfield talents. Furthermore, Bournemouth ended sixth in the table and have secured historic European qualification after going 17 games unbeaten, the longest unbeaten run across Europe’s top five leagues this season, with Scott a key driver of that run.
Transfer news: The competition for Scott’s signature
Manchester United have now set their sights on Scott alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, as they look to revamp their midfield this summer. Bournemouth value the player at £60 million or above, though reports suggest offers around £50 million could initiate talks, potentially rising to £60–65 million.
Scott had previously been described as “unbelievable” by Pep Guardiola, and he earned his England debut under Thomas Tuchel this season. Bournemouth, for their part, are eager to keep him and have explored a new contract, but the asking price signals they accept his departure may be inevitable.
As for Zubimendi, it is clear he has not been as consistent in recent months as he was earlier in the campaign, having accumulated 55 appearances, the most across any Arsenal player during a debut season at the club. Gary Neville publicly stated the £60 million Spaniard had been “struggling for weeks” and had not met expectations during that difficult period.
Transfer news: Do Arsenal actually need Scott at £60m?
Honestly, this is where it gets complicated. Arsenal already have Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, and Zubimendi occupying central midfield. Myles Lewis-Skelly started in midfield for the very first time and now looks set to partner Rice in the Champions League final, which tells you there is already serious depth in that area.
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Scott is genuinely talented, but £60 million for a 22-year-old with fewer than three full Premier League seasons feels steep when Arsenal have midfield options already competing for places. Zubimendi’s dip looks far more like fatigue from 55 appearances than structural decline, and that problem solves itself with rest. United and Chelsea, by contrast, have clearer midfield gaps and stronger incentives to spend at that valuation. For Arsenal specifically, this transfer news feels more like due diligence than genuine necessity, sensible to watch, but hard to justify at the reported price without first offloading midfield depth.
