If Liverpool are going to turn their reported interest in Alex Scott into a bid, they start with an advantage none of his other suitors have: the head coach who built him at Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola took over at Anfield in June after three seasons on the south coast, and Scott was one of the midfielders he leaned on hardest in that time.

On Saturday, Scott also gave Tuchel a very public reason to keep him in his own squad for longer. The midfielder made his first England start in the 7-0 win over Croatia in Rijeka, paired with Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson in a makeshift central pairing.

Tuchel did not hold back afterwards.

“He’s just so smooth at the moment on the ball, decision-making is on the highest level,” the England boss said. “He’s the complete package at the moment.”

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The verdict from Roy Keane alongside the ITV coverage was less flowery, but it came from one of the hardest judges in the game.

“Great night from him. Lots of potential there. And obviously well-deserved, of course. He should be very proud of himself,” Keane said on ITV.

Chelsea’s £64m bid was rejected

Scott’s summer was its own story. Chelsea had a £64m offer rejected by Bournemouth and did not manage to force a second attempt over the line, with the Cherries said to be holding out for closer to £80m. He joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in a £25m deal in 2023 and has turned down a contract extension, leaving two years to run on his current deal.

Chelsea remain in contact with his representatives, according to Fabrizio Romano, and Arsenal have been linked throughout 2026. Real Madrid have also been mentioned among admirers.

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Iraola already knows the player

Liverpool’s position is different because of Iraola. The former Bournemouth head coach took the Anfield job on 4 June, and he inherits a working relationship with Scott that any rival club would have to build from scratch. No bid has been made public, and Liverpool have not commented on the speculation.

Scott himself has done nothing to cool it. England play Czechia at Wembley on Tuesday, and he is in line to start again under Tuchel.

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