'I watched Alex Scott closely at Bristol City, I must admit I was wrong about him'

Bournemouth are prepared to do everything in their power to stop Alex Scott leaving the club in the near future.

The 23-year-old has been outstanding for the Cherries over the last 12 months and has attracted interest from a number of elite clubs in the Premier League and across Europe.

His recent performance for England in their 7-0 win against Croatia has attracted further attention, and doubts have grown about Bournemouth's ability to keep hold of him.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Bournemouth are stepping up their efforts to tie Scott's future down at the Vitality Stadium.

The midfielder is believed to have turned down offers of a new contract during the summer, when there was intense interest from the likes of Chelsea and Man United.

However, after his increased recognition at international level and his continued importance to Marco Rose's side, Scott could find any move away blocked by his club.

Could Bournemouth keep hold of Alex Scott?

Football Insider revealed in July that Bournemouth were working to hand Scott a new contract in an attempt to deter his potential suitors during the summer transfer window.

Any new deal would likely include a release clause, with other Bournemouth stars on similar deals, and there is now optimism a deal could be reached.

Despite the ongoing interest from elsewhere, Bournemouth are determined to keep hold of Scott, and are prepared to do everything to hand him a new deal.

"Bournemouth are doing everything in their power to keep Scott at the club," Brown told Football Insider.

"They took a risk on bringing him to the Premier League when, I must hold my hands up, I didn't think he was ready to make the step up from where he was at Bristol City.

"But he's gone from strength to strength since the move, and now he's receiving international recognition with England as well.

"That's bound to have impressed some of his suitors, but from a Bournemouth point of view, they will be boosted by the fact he has shown he can achieve that without having to leave.

"Bournemouth want to hand him a new contract, it's something they've been working on for a while even though they couldn't make any progress during the summer.

"Now that the transfer window is closed and that speculation can die down a bit, they are optimistic that they can convince Scott to stay at the club."

Which clubs are interested in signing Scott?

Bournemouth's reluctance to lose Scott comes amid a growing expectation that he could be prised away, given the level of high-profile clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

Liverpool and Man United were both interested during the summer, Real Madrid have recently been tipped as suitors, but Chelsea were the only club to make a formal move.

Despite seeing their offers knocked back, Brown told Football Insider last month that Chelsea are preparing to reignite their interest in Scott when the January transfer window opens.

While there is still plenty of water to pass under the bridge between now and January, the Blues are eyeing the England international as their top target in 2027.

Xabi Alonso is determined to add a new central midfielder to his squad as soon as possible, following the late sale of Enzo Fernandez to Man City on transfer deadline day.