West Ham United have joined the likes of Everton and Leicester City in being linked with a summer move for Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott.
The 18-year-old has caught the eye of a number of top clubs, including a few from overseas, with his displays in the Championship this term. He inked his first professional deal with the Robins in March last year. The Guernsey-born ace dipped his toe in the water, making three second-tier appearances late last term.
Manager Nigel Pearson was clearly impressed, with Scott having been handed 24 starts among 27 league outings in 2021-2022. Dubbed the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ – both for his style of play and looks – the youngster’s game is progressing as hoped.
He has bagged three goals and contributed two assists, with scouts beating a path to Ashton Gate to check him out. Born in the Channel Islands, the teenager trained with both Southampton and Bournemouth youth teams before moving to Bristol.
He has adapted well to the step up in class from his previous stint playing for Guernsey FC in the Isthmian League. The south-west club know they will need to work hard to keep hold of their star schemer in the summer.
In addition to the English trio, The Mail suggest there are foreign clubs who also have eyes on Scott. And he may be made available as City need to balance the books after they posted a worrying loss in the previous financial year.
Scott will not come cheap
The days of cherry-picking the top lower-league players for relatively small fees is now over. Both Adam Webster and Lloyd Kelly left Bristol for sizeable fees and they will also want decent money for Scott.
The Championship club have boxed clever by handing him a contract until 2025. They are therefore in no hurry to sell and will be in the driving seat if and when negotiations begin.
Any club that signs the man with seven England Under-19 caps will get a versatile player. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he can also operate as a wing-back while also comfortable playing in central midfield.
Pearson has, at times, asked him to take on a holding role, which has not proved a problem. Scott is also not afraid to get his foot in, with six yellow cards to his name in the league.
READ MORE: David Moyes admits West Ham ‘were quite far down the line’ with signing before Liverpool pounced
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