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Manchester United find themselves reeling after another major midfield target slipped through their fingers, as Tottenham Hotspur concluded a deal for Mateus Fernandes. The promising West Ham United youngster has followed Elliot Anderson’s example, opting for a move to a rival club rather than making the switch to Old Trafford.

Reports suggest that United had submitted an offer matching West Ham’s £85 million valuation. However, Tottenham’s bid was paid in full upfront, whereas United’s proposal comprised £70 million plus £15 million in add-ons. When given the chance to mirror the North London club’s terms, INEOS decided not to pursue it further.

In fairness, it’s difficult to fault the Old Trafford hierarchy for exercising restraint. The figures involved are extraordinary for a Championship-level player who has experienced back-to-back relegations, first with Southampton and now with West Ham.

Fernandes is undoubtedly a talented prospect, though still in the development phase. With Jorge Mendes as his representative, there is a strong likelihood that the one-cap Portugal international could be linked with another lucrative move soon, particularly if he flourishes under Roberto De Zerbi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In response to missing out on Fernandes, United are now expected to intensify their pursuit of AFC Bournemouth’s midfield maestro Alex Scott. Since joining the Cherries from Bristol City for £25 million in 2023, the 22-year-old has quietly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective midfielders.

Sporting director Jason Wilcox has reportedly held preliminary discussions to explore the feasibility of a transfer, though several other English clubs are also in the hunt. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham have all expressed interest, but Bournemouth’s stance has been firm: Scott is not for sale.

Following Andoni Iraola’s departure from the Vitality Stadium to replace Arne Slot at Anfield, German tactician Marco Rose has taken over the reins. The 49-year-old, who previously managed RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, has already informed Bournemouth’s hierarchy that he views Scott as a “cornerstone” of his project.

Negotiations are ongoing with Scott’s representatives over a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in 2028. Bournemouth are pushing to include a release clause similar to the one that saw Antoine Semenyo secure a £65 million transfer to Manchester City in January.

It is believed that any club wanting to sign Scott would need to pay around £80 million to secure his services, although Tottenham’s lavish outlay for Fernandes could prompt Bournemouth to raise their asking price further. According to Sky Sports, United and Arsenal are currently leading the chase in what is being described as a “two-horse race”, with other contenders focusing on alternative targets.

While Fernandes might have been a valuable addition at Old Trafford, Scott could turn out to be an even better fit. The Guernsey-born midfielder is a gifted technician, combining top-tier dribbling ability with sharp passing. His composure on the ball has been evident since his Championship days with Bristol City.

Under Andoni Iraola’s mentorship, Scott has significantly enhanced his defensive contributions and physical intensity. Iraola, known for demanding relentless effort and technical quality, expects his players not only to use the ball effectively but also to win it back aggressively.

Over three seasons at the Vitality Stadium, Scott has refined his game to the point where he can seamlessly operate in multiple midfield roles. Iraola praised him in a post-match interview after Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates, where Scott netted the winning goal.

“He has played for us as a No 10, a No 8; today as a No 6 and he has added a lot of defensive work and a lot of duel-winning to the ability he has on the ball,” Iraola remarked. “I’m very happy, because he is becoming a very, very complete player.”

A detailed analysis by the Daily Mail supports that assessment. The report highlights that “among current Premier League players, only Anderson (306) won possession more times than Scott (195) last season, while he ranked third behind Anderson (80) and Guimaraes (75) for fouls won.”

It further reveals that “Scott made more clearances than Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi (both 78) and former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro (73), while ranking third for completed dribbles (29) among central midfielders — again behind Anderson (50) and Morgan Gibbs-White (30).”

Source: Transfermarkt.

Clearly, Scott is a midfielder capable of influencing both ends of the pitch — a balanced performer who excels in and out of possession — precisely the kind of player Manchester United have been lacking.

He also embodies the intangible qualities that top clubs value highly. Managers, teammates, and executives across his career have consistently praised his professionalism and attitude. Bristol City’s technical director, Brian Tinnion, summed it up perfectly.

“The best thing about him is his attitude,” Tinnion said about his former protégé. “His attitude to play, his attitude to training — he was never any trouble from the day he joined until the day we sold him to Bournemouth. He was the absolute dream young player to work with.”

With INEOS intent on ensuring new recruits are as strong in character as they are in ability, Alex Scott appears to fit the profile perfectly — a young, hungry, Premier League-proven midfielder with the potential to become one of England’s finest.

Featured image: Justin Setterfield via Getty Images