Liverpool in driving seat to sign £100m Alex Scott as Hamann warns Iraola over top-four hopes

Liverpool have emerged as frontrunners to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in the January transfer window, according to reports, with the Cherries valuing their 23-year-old at £100 million. The development comes as Andoni Iraola’s side prepare to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, looking to bounce back from a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.

Scott played under Iraola during the Spaniard’s time at Bournemouth, and Liverpool reportedly showed interest in the England international last summer. Chelsea made several bids for Scott during that window, with their highest offer reaching £68m, but Bournemouth held firm. The Mail now reports that Liverpool are in the “driving seat” for his signature, though whether the club’s hierarchy will sanction another outlay above £100m remains uncertain given Scott has 20 months left on his current contract.

Brentford, who sit fourth in the Premier League table and are one of only three sides yet to lose in the opening six games of the season, represent a significant obstacle for Iraola’s squad this weekend. Liverpool arrive at the Gtech Community Stadium having recovered from the City loss with a 6-3 Champions League victory over LASK, but the test against Keith Andrews’ unbeaten side will be of a different order.

Off the pitch, former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has delivered a blunt verdict on Iraola’s prospects for the campaign. The 53-year-old said he does not believe Liverpool will replicate Arne Slot’s top-four finish from last season. “Finishing in the top four for Liverpool this season will be a success, but I don’t see it happening,” Hamann said. “I don’t see closing that 25-point gap with Arsenal from last year.”

Hamann argued that the competition for Champions League places is too fierce, pointing to Manchester City and Arsenal as near-certainties for the top four and highlighting the broader congestion in the table. His comments set a sceptical tone around Iraola’s first full season in charge at Anfield, even as the club moves to strengthen in the winter window.