Andoni Iraola tipped to raid Bournemouth for first Liverpool signing

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott could emerge as a Liverpool target this summer.

The midfielder was signed by new Reds boss Andoni Iraola for the Cherries in 2023.

Javier Garcia

Scott has gone on to make 80 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

His performances last season earned the 22-year-old a maiden England call-up in November.

Although he is yet to make his international debut, Scott is currently with the Three Lions squad at their pre-World Cup camp in Florida.

Having missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s final 26-man squad, he has been training with the side ahead of this summer’s tournament.

Could Scott join Liverpool?

Scott could still have a busy summer, with a reunion with Iraola at Anfield a possibility before the transfer window closes.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook believes Liverpool could launch a pursuit for the in-demand star.

Joining Andy Goldstein and Gabby Agbonlahor on Breakfast, he was asked if Scott could follow his former boss to Merseyside.

Crook explained: “I think he’d be a good fit. I think if you look at one of the many reasons that Liverpool couldn’t defend their title this season I think the midfield was a real issue.

“Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in particular didn’t really hit the heights they did the previous campaign.

“Actually before Arne Slot’s first season they were looking to bring in a number six Liverpool and then sort of stumbled upon Gravenberch in that role by default, but it’s not really his preferred position.”

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Liverpool have not signed a first-team midfielder for three years after Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo all joined the club in 2023.

Crook continued: “Alex Scott I think is a terrific talent. If we get any pull-outs from the England World Cup squad, I think he probably is next in line. Which tells you how highly Thomas Tuchel rates him.

“There’s obviously a relationship between him and Andoni Iraola, the Liverpool manager, and Richard Hughes, the sporting director at Anfield who signed him for Bournemouth.

“So this would make a lot of sense, but Bournemouth want to keep him.

“They’ve offered him a new contract, so I think he’s going to take a significant offer, but certainly this is going to be one that we’re going to track throughout the course of the window.”

Scott’s current deal at the Vitality Stadium expires in 2028, with the club aiming to tie him down to a new long-term contract.

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The Bournemouth man could make his England debut this week despite missing out on the final World Cup squad.

Tuchel’s side face Costa Rica in their final warm-up match before the tournament on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Scott is eligible to be called into the side in the event of an injury after making England’s 55-man provisional squad.

A player from the provisional list can be added in the event of an injury up to 24 hours before a team’s opening match.