Alex Scott: United’s £80m Bid Plans as Arsenal and City Circle | OneFootball

Manchester United are set to open formal talks for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, 22, with the club considering an £80 million offer to force the Cherries’ hand – and Michael Carrick having already greenlit the move.

That is according to talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs, speaking to The United Stand, who confirmed Scott is “top” of United’s midfield shortlist and that the Reds are expected to “proceed with formal talks” imminently.

🔴 Follow Stretty News on Google as a preferred source and be first with every United update.

Scott emerges as United’s main midfield target

Scott has been one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders this season, making 37 appearances as Bournemouth qualified for European football for the first time in the club’s 127-year history. United’s interest in Scott stretches back several months, but he has now been elevated to the top of the list following failed pursuits of Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

Scott was signed from Bristol City for £25 million in 2023 and is under contract at the Vitality Stadium until 2028. Bournemouth are pushing to resolve his future before August, with fresh contact between the club and Scott’s camp expected next week. However, the primary source indicates Scott has rejected initial contract extension proposals – a significant detail that has encouraged his suitors.

Source: Sofascore

Carrick’s greenlight at Carrington carries real weight – his endorsement of the move signals this is a genuine football department priority, not merely an ownership-level exercise in market positioning.

Arsenal and City complicate United’s pursuit

Jacobs confirms that Arsenal, Manchester City, and United have shown the most “aggression” in pursuing the England under-21 international. Arsenal had a formal enquiry knocked back by Bournemouth last week and appear to have pivoted towards Bruno Guimarães, though that could change quickly if Newcastle refuse to sell. City, meanwhile, have made a direct approach to the Cherries in recent weeks, with Pep Guardiola – who has previously described Scott as an “unbelievable player” – clearly an admirer.

Chelsea have done their due diligence but have not made recent contact, though their agreement to sell Andrey Santos to United for £50 million may now free funds for a Scott bid of their own. Liverpool and Tottenham are understood to be focused elsewhere for now.

Midfield reinforcement has been a stated United priority all summer, and after three missed targets, the pressure to land Scott – or a comparable profile – is mounting.

The £80m question

Bournemouth’s resolve is genuine. A club that has navigated Antoine Semenyo’s contract extension with a release clause is applying the same model here, and their European qualification gives them no financial pressure to sell cheaply. The £80 million figure United are considering represents a significant step up from Scott’s £25 million acquisition cost, and Bournemouth are unlikely to move for less.

Scott is understood to be open to Old Trafford, but he will have elite options across Manchester and potentially North London. The Cherries want clarity before the season starts – which means United will have a firm answer, one way or another, soon.