He Loves Iraola: Liverpool Already in Strong Position to Sign Alex Scott

· GiveMeSport

Liverpool could be one of the busiest clubs in the 2027 transfer windows

Liverpool concentrated on strengthening their attack and defence in the 2026 summer transfer window, but the expectation is that they will focus on bringing in a new player in the middle of the park next year for Andoni Iraola.

The Reds sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan in the summer, but they failed to replace the Englishman, with two players arriving each in defence and attack.

Not only does the exit of the 25-year-old to the San Siro hint at a central midfield addition, but it appears as though the likelihood is that Alexis Mac Allister will also be on his way out of Anfield in 2027.

The Argentina international's deal expires at the end of the campaign, and he recently said publicly that he is 'sad' that the club have handed new long-term deals to midfield teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch, but are said to have told him they were unable to offer him new terms.

New sporting director Julian Ward now has a decision to make as to who will be his top target for the midfield next year, with plenty of candidates and names already linked.

Julian Ward's Liverpool Signings

- Player: Fee - Luis Diaz: £47m - Darwin Nunez: £64m - Cody Gakpo: £37m - Fabio Carvalho: £5m - Calvin Ramsay: £4.2m - Ben Gannon-Doak: £600,000 - Alexis Mac Allister: £35m

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed after the collapse of Lamine Camara's deadline day transfer to Chelsea that Liverpool had informed the player he was high on their shortlist for 2027, and he is clearly a player with a lot of quality.

There have also been separate suggestions that they have been in contact with Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni's camp even though the France international only agreed a contract to remain at the Bernabeu this summer, with his future depending on establishing himself as a regular in Jose Mourinho's strongest XI.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have long been linked with moves for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Bournemouth's Alex Scott, and they may have a big advantage in their bid to land the latter.

Bournemouth have been trying to tie Scott down to a new contract at the Vitality Stadium, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2028.

They have failed to do so on two occasions and, according to the BBC, Scott pushed to leave the Cherries during the summer.

Chelsea saw a £64m bid rejected for the 23-year-old, and remain in the hunt for a new midfielder in 2027.

While Bournemouth may be moving closer to the acceptance that they might have to sell the England international at the end of the season, the BBC claim that they have no intention of letting him leave in January.

> First start and what a start and what a performance. He is just so smooth at the moment on the ball, decision-making is at the highest level. The complete package at the moment - Tuchel after England vs Croatia

The report adds that alongside Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are also keen, while the interest from Manchester City and Manchester United has cooled after they both strengthened their midfields in the summer.

If Liverpool did choose to step up their interest in Scott, they may hold a big advantage given the player is said to have a 'positive' relationship with Iraola, from their time together on the south coast.

Everything could come down to Bourmeouth's demands for a player who will have 12 months remaining on his contract next summer, but Scott gave interested suitors a reminder of why he is so good with his display for England in their 7-0 demolition of Croatia on Saturday evening.

Alex Scott vs Croatia

- Minutes: 70 - Touches: 81 - Accurate passes: 68/74 - Pass accuracy: 92% - Accurate long balls: 3/5 - Defensive contributions: 5 - Tackles: 3 - Recoveries: 3 - Duels won: 4/6

The 23-year-old was handed his first England start by Thomas Tuchel, but he looked like he'd been starting for years with a performance of quality and composure in Rijeka.

That display, coupled with his performances for Bournemouth and the fact that Iraola would be able to get a tune out of him straight away, look to make him a really attractive option for the Reds.

Liverpool and Ward must now decide if Scott is the right type of midfielder as they are in a strong position for him, or if they need a more physical defensive midfield type like Tchouameni in the engine room.

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