Manchester United are now considering alternative options as they look to rebuild their midfield in the summer, with a serious focus on Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
The Red Devils have been linked with West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes, but United will need to carefully consider other targets as Tottenham are pushing hard for the Portuguese midfielder, a source close to the agent industry has said. catch off side.
Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are all keen on signing the Scot, with United and Arsenal making the first inquiries for the 22-year-old.
Although no formal deal has been reached, Scott is currently one of United’s high-profile players.
Manchester United step up pursuit of Bournemouth midfielder
United’s interest in Scott is understandable, as the club are expected to make major changes to their midfield this summer.
The Guardian previously reported that United are leading the race to sign Matheus Fernandes, while Sky Sports claim Tottenham are willing to pay around £85m for the West Ham midfielder.
That made things even more difficult for United, who could not afford to wait too long if Spurs continued to progress.
Scott, on the other hand, offers a different but very attractive profile. He is young, Premier League proven, technically sharp and able to play in a variety of midfield roles.
Bournemouth do not want to sell, but reports suggest Scott could be valued at around £60m. Although the transfer fee is still high, it may be more realistic than joining the competition to acquire Fernandes.
Scott could be smartly signed by the Red Devils
If United decide Fernandes is too expensive, the Scot could be a very smart signing.
He may not have the physical presence of Fernandes, but he is neat on the ball, confident under pressure, and still has a lot of room for improvement.
United need a midfielder who can grow with the project, not just an expensive short-term fix.
Scott fits that idea well. He already understands the pace of the Premier League and will give United another creative and energetic option in the middle of the pitch.
The key issue is price. For a fee of £60m, United must be completely convinced he can become a long-term starter.
But if Tottenham win the fight for Fernandes, moving quickly for the Scot could be the smart move rather than panicking.
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