United midfield target has had his head turned as he refuses to sign contract extension, 60m will do the trick – report

Manchester United have already agreed their first deal of the summer, with more in the pipeline. The Red Devils have agreed to pay an initial £35 million to Atalanta for Ederson, with INEOS keen to sign two more midfielders to replace the outgoing Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. The new Brazilian signing is seen more as a market opportunity more than an out-and-out Casemiro replacement. The co-owners will prefer to sign a Premier League-proven performer, which explains their desire to bring in either Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali. United’s hunt for the perfect Casemiro replacement But the Nottingham Forest ace seems to have eyes on a move to Manchester City, while the Italian’s asking price and wage demands are proving problematic. The 20-time English league champions have been forced to cast their net wider, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott emerging as an option. Michael Carrick is a fan of the 22-year-old, who can play across the middle of the park. United held a secret meeting with the Cherries to discuss possible transfers, but the team from the Vitality Stadium are keen to tie the England international down to a new long-term contract. So far, the former Bristol City ace does not seem to have any intention of signing on the dotted line amid interest from United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Alex Scott, a man in demand While Bournemouth would prefer not to sell their midfield talisman, Teamtalk have revealed that they could be forced to do so should Alex Scott insist on not agreeing on a new deal, given his current contract expires in 2028. However, the team from the South Coast will only come to the negotiating table should a suitor submit a £60 million offer. “As the summer transfer window gathers pace, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott remains a prime target for several Premier League heavyweights, including the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. “The 22-year-old Guernsey-born talent has shone brightly this season, playing a key role in the Cherries’ qualification for European football and earning a place in Thomas Tuchel’s provisional England squad for the 2026 World Cup before missing out on the final selection. Why Alex Scott would be a perfect Carrick signing “The south coast club have tabled a new and improved contract offer in a bid to tie Scott down long-term. However, as things stand, the midfielder is yet to agree terms and is showing no immediate inclination to sign an extension. “The high level of interest from top clubs has complicated negotiations, leaving his future uncertain despite Bournemouth’s strong desire to retain him. With his current deal running until 2028 and the club valuing him at £60million or more, any potential sale would require a substantial bid.” Alex Scott possesses a great engine, the ability to dribble in tight spaces, and intelligence when it comes to pressing — all qualities Carrick would love in his new midfielder. Whether INEOS will go all out for the Bournemouth No. 8 remains to be seen. Feature image Ryan Pierse via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25