Declan Rice has backed Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott to handle intense transfer interest amid reports that Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Liverpool in pursuit of the £100m-rated England international.
- Transfer Valuation: Bournemouth are expected to demand a fee close to £80m to enter formal negotiations in January, though potential suitors could wait until the summer window.
- Squad Rotation: Scott’s refusal to extend his contract running until June 2028 makes the upcoming transfer window one of the final opportunities for him to be moved on for the highest possible fee.
Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Liverpool in contacting Bournemouth regarding a move for the 23-year-old midfielder, according to reporting from The Standard. Scott has caught the eye of top Premier League clubs after stringing together consistent performances on the south coast.
The former Bristol City player joined the Cherries in 2023 and has since made 95 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists, as detailed by Shoot. His club form translated to the international stage in September when he made his senior debut for the Three Lions.
Scott earned his first cap off the bench in a 2-0 away win over the Czech Republic in the Nations League before Thomas Tuchel handed him his maiden start in a 7-0 victory over Croatia. A thigh injury sustained during that international camp threatened a two-month layoff, but the midfielder recovered swiftly to make the Bournemouth bench against Ipswich.
Rice, who missed that September camp due to his own fitness issues, admitted he has been impressed by the young midfielder’s progression. “To be honest, Alex Scott playing was incredible,” Rice told The Standard ahead of a fixture in Madrid. “The way he’s been playing for Bournemouth the last two or three seasons has been remarkable.”
The Arsenal midfielder said that breaking into top-tier club sides naturally involves fighting off fierce competition. “When we signed Bruno Guimaraes, when we signed Zubimendi, when we had Myles, Merino, Odegaard, you’re competing with six midfielders at your club every day so for me there’s nothing different,” Rice said.
Chelsea have previously seen multiple summer bids rejected by Bournemouth, while all three interested clubs have made initial inquiries ahead of January, according to Yardbarker. Scott has turned down multiple contract extension offers from his current employers, ensuring his future at the Vitality Stadium remains a central storyline of the upcoming window.
| Club / Player | Role | Contract Expiry | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Scott | Bournemouth Midfielder | June 2028 | Targeted by Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool |
| Declan Rice | Arsenal Midfielder | – | Welcoming competition for club and country |
Scott’s current deal runs until the summer of 2028, giving Bournemouth a strong hand in negotiations should they choose to hold out for a massive fee. However, his reluctance to sign an extension means the upcoming windows represent key opportunities for the Cherries to cash in.
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