Arsenal have expressed interest in signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott this summer, according to The Athletic. The Gunners are looking to bolster their midfield options following their Premier League title victory last season and are reportedly prepared to back manager Mikel Arteta in the transfer market.
BBC Sport reports that Arsenal are prioritizing the acquisition of a right-back, a versatile midfielder, and a left winger during the current transfer window. The club has already identified West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi as potential targets, with Fernandes valued at €92million (£80m) by The Times. Bouaddi, who impressed at the World Cup, is said to be available for a fee exceeding €50m (£43m) according to Lille.
Scott, 22, has emerged as a prominent midfielder in the Premier League after a strong season with Bournemouth, playing a key role in their sixth-place finish and qualification for the Europa League. While he was part of England’s preparations for the World Cup, he did not make the final 26-man squad under manager Thomas Tuchel.
Manchester United are also monitoring Scott’s situation, with manager Michael Carrick aiming to revamp the Red Devils’ midfield. The Athletic claims United have enquired about the possibility of a deal, with Bournemouth potentially seeking a fee of €69m (£60m) for the player. However, Bournemouth are reportedly reluctant to sell and are attempting to secure Scott to a new contract including an €86m (£75m) release clause, mirroring similar arrangements made with Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen, who subsequently joined Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Alongside their interest in Scott, Arsenal are also pursuing Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga, 16, and Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis, 24, who scored 17 goals and provided 23 assists in the Belgian Pro League last season. These moves suggest Arsenal are exploring multiple options to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign. Scott’s arrival would provide Arteta with another dynamic midfield option, while potentially addressing a long-term need in the squad.
