Arsenal target Alex Scott available for £80m, but interest has cooled

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Bournemouth are prepared to consider offers in excess of £80m for Alex Scott in January, with the England midfielder continuing to refuse a new contract at the south coast club, Sky Sports News reports.

Arsenal were among the clubs interested in the 23 year old, alongside Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham, but all four strengthened their midfield options elsewhere over the summer after Bournemouth made clear Scott was not for sale. Chelsea and Liverpool are the two clubs who retain a serious interest in the player.

Why Bournemouth's stance is shifting

Scott's contract at the Vitality Stadium expires in just over 18 months, and Bournemouth are reportedly aware his value will only diminish the longer the situation drags on without a new deal being signed. The club does not want to sell him, but may be open to offers in January provided they are practically safe from relegation by then.

Bournemouth have yet to win a Premier League game this season and were beaten 5-1 at Chelsea last weekend, results that help explain why the club's position on a sale has softened. Sources have told Sky Sports News that an offer above £80m with add ons would need to be taken seriously by Bournemouth in January.

Complicating any potential move is Scott's fitness. He faces several more weeks on the sidelines after aggravating a thigh tendon injury while away with England, a trip during which he earned his first full senior cap.

Rose insists Scott remains committed

Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose addressed the growing speculation ahead of the club's Europa League fixture against Sturm Graz on Wednesday, insisting there is no frustration behind the scenes despite the recurring questions.

“We just closed the other transfer window and we’re now talking about the next one,” Rose said. “We are just focused on the game [against Sturm Graz] and the upcoming game in the Premier League, and not commentating on rumours that show up right after the last transfer window closes.”

“It’s not frustrating anyway for us. I told you that Alex Scott was going to stay in the summer. We got questions after questions in press conferences for I don’t know how many weeks. He’s a player of our club and now he’s injured, we are looking forward to having him back in a couple of days and weeks and we’ll continue with Alex Scott. And he’s quite committed, everyone can see it from the first games [of the season].”

Arsenal moved for other midfield options during the summer window rather than pursuing Scott, meaning any renewed interest in January would mark a change of approach from Mikel Arteta's recruitment team. For now, Chelsea and Liverpool appear best placed among the Premier League's top clubs to test Bournemouth's resolve when the window reopens.