Man Utd Launch £59m Bid for Bournemouth's Scott as Arsenal and Liverpool Circle

Manchester United have thrown down the gauntlet in the summer transfer market, tabling a £59m proposal to prise Alex Scott away from Bournemouth. However, the Cherries have shown the door to the opening gambit, leaving Erik ten Hag's side needing to sharpen their pencils if they're serious about landing the midfielder.

The move comes as United look to bolster their engine room following Michael Carrick's impressive second-half revival that propelled them to third place and a Champions League berth. The club has already confirmed plans to recruit at least two midfielders this summer—possibly three—while also hunting for a left-back and left-winger.

Ederson from Atalanta will be the first through the door, with the Brazilian having undergone his medical in New York. That deal is essentially done and dusted, according to Fabrizio Romano's reporting last month.

Mateus Fernandes from Nottingham Forest had been earmarked as the next target, but Tottenham swooped to secure the Portuguese international before United could make their move. Scott now represents their pivot to Plan B.

An X account run by five respected reporters and boasting over 700,000 followers has disclosed the £59m bid, noting that Bournemouth rejected it out of hand. The account suggested United will need to return with improved terms, particularly with Arsenal and Liverpool ready to pounce should the north-west club stumble in negotiations.

Bournemouth are holding firm at an £80m valuation, according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Speaking to talkSPORT, Jacobs revealed that while Arsenal have made enquiries about Scott, Bournemouth rejected those overtures, insisting the player isn't available for sale at this stage.

Scott has just returned from England duty and is set to sit down with Bournemouth to discuss fresh contract terms. The club remains optimistic about retaining him, with director Thiago Pinto prepared to sweeten any new deal with release clause provisions.

The structure could mirror the Antoine Semenyo model, whereby a mid-season exit clause depreciates by roughly £5m come summer. That scenario could see an initial £75m figure drop to around £70m. Alternatively, Bournemouth might insist Scott remains until the end of summer before any sale at market rates.

Jacobs indicated that some flexibility exists at £60m, though his understanding is that Bournemouth's firm asking price sits at £80m. No decision on any potential transfer will be made until formal discussions take place between the club and their star midfielder—which explains why Bournemouth gave Arsenal short shrift when they came calling.