Liverpool have reportedly emerged as the frontrunners to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, moving ahead of Chelsea in the race for the England international, according to a report in the Daily Mail relayed by Standard Football.

The report suggests that Scott could leave the Vitality Stadium as early as January, with Bournemouth boss Marco Rose's side prepared to consider offers for the 22-year-old in the upcoming winter transfer window. Bournemouth are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £100million for the midfielder, reflecting the high regard in which he is held at the club.

Chelsea had been long-term admirers of Scott and reportedly had two bids turned down by Bournemouth before the start of the current season, as manager Xabi Alonso sought to bolster his midfield options. Despite that interest, sources at Bournemouth now indicate that Liverpool have overtaken the Blues in the pursuit of the player.

A central factor behind Liverpool's rise to the top of the queue is said to be the presence of Andoni Iraola, who took charge at Anfield over the summer following Arne Slot's departure. Iraola previously managed Scott during a successful spell at Bournemouth, where he guided the club to their first-ever European campaign, with the Cherries now competing in the Europa League this season. That prior relationship between player and manager is understood to be a significant driver behind Liverpool's growing interest, with sources suggesting the familiarity could prove decisive in persuading Scott to make the move to Merseyside.

Liverpool's push for Scott comes amid ongoing uncertainty in their midfield department. Alexis Mac Allister has yet to put pen to paper on a new contract at the club, leaving a question mark over his long-term future. Meanwhile, Curtis Jones departed for Inter Milan without an adequate replacement being brought in, leaving Iraola short of options in that area of the pitch. Signing Scott would therefore address a pressing need for Liverpool as they look to reinforce their squad depth.

For Bournemouth, losing Scott would represent a significant blow, though the reported £100million valuation underlines how highly the club rates the player's potential. Scott has established himself as one of the more promising young midfielders in the Premier League since his move to the south coast, and his performances have attracted interest from multiple top-flight clubs.

However, Scott's immediate focus will be on his recovery from injury rather than any prospective transfer. The midfielder is currently sidelined with a thigh problem sustained while on international duty with England, a setback that reportedly left his club frustrated given the timing and nature of the issue.

With his contract at Bournemouth running until the summer of 2027, Scott is not under immediate pressure to leave, and any move would likely depend on how negotiations develop between the two Premier League rivals once the January window opens. For now, all parties will be monitoring the midfielder's recovery before any transfer talks are expected to gather further momentum.

Based on reporting from Standard Football (Daily Mail).