‘Great asset’ – Liverpool backed to sign £80m transfer target ahead of Chelsea and Man Utd
Andoni Iraola has been backed to lure Alex Scott to Liverpool despite strong interest from Chelsea and Manchester United in the Bournemouth midfielder.
Scott has emerged as a top target for several Premier League clubs after helping Bournemouth secure a brilliant sixth-place finish last season to qualify for Europe for the first time.
The 22-year-old was also a part of England’s preparation camp in Miami ahead of the World Cup, having narrowly missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad.
Scott still has two years left on his contract at Bournemouth, but has reportedly turned down a new contract from the Cherries.
Despite that, Bournemouth remain steadfast in their intention to keep hold of Scott this summer and have already rejected an approach from Arsenal and an official £64million bid from Chelsea for the midfielder.
Manchester United are also keen on the Englishman, who is valued at £80m, as Michael Carrick seeks a third new central midfielder to bolster his options ahead of the new season.
But despite all that interest, former Liverpool player Vladimir Smicer believes the Reds should enter the race to sign Scott this summer.
And Smicer believes that former Cherries boss Iraola could be instrumental in helping to convince Scott to push for a move to join him at his new club.
‘I think you can expect Andoni Iraola would like to take Alex Scott because he knows what he can do,’ he told Casinostugan.
‘To be honest, in midfield we need a bit more spark with people who are fighting but are clever going forward, turning quickly with the ball and finding strikers.
‘Of course, we expect a lot from Wirtz to do this, but Andoni Iraola knows Alex Scott. If the price is right and he sees the possibility to strengthen the team, why not?’
Smicer continued: ‘Curtis Jones is linked with a few moves, and if he leaves we need midfielders. We don’t know what’s happening with Alexis Mac Allister; he had a bit of a weak season and was not at the same level.
‘Gravenberch had a good start but then it was not the best. Only Szoboszlai was a top player in midfield for the whole season. In midfield you need competition, and Scott can be a great asset because he’s only 22 and is playing regularly for the England youth teams.
‘He’s a good prospect and Premier League proven. These things are important. I don’t know if he would love to play for Liverpool, but not many players would turn them down.
‘He’s got a good chance now because Andoni Iraola is the new manager. If he likes him, I think we can find the money.’
As well as in midfield, Liverpool have been heavily linked with signings in forward areas following the departure of Mohamed Salah at the end of last season.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola has been linked with a move to the Reds, although it remains to be seen whether the Merseyside club will meet PSG’s lofty £145m asking price for the French winger.
Liverpool may also look to strengthen at centre-back, particularly after the news that Joe Gomez will miss the start of the new season after picking up a muscle injury in a pre-season match against Sunderland.
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