Manchester United and Arsenal are among the clubs monitoring Alex Scott after reports that the midfielder rejected a contract extension from Bournemouth. The development has sharpened interest in a player who was influential during the Cherries’ historic campaign and who remains under contract for a couple more seasons.

Ben Jacobs reported at the end of May that Bournemouth were confident Scott would sign a new deal after the club secured a spot in the Europa League for the very first time. That confidence now looks misplaced, but the club have made clear they have no intention of selling Scott ahead of their first European venture and would only consider a very large offer.

Signed as a teenager from Bristol City for £25 million ($33.5 million) in 2023, the 22-year-old featured 37 times in the top flight last season, recording four goal contributions. He produced a decisive performance at the Emirates in April, scoring Bournemouth’s winning goal after 74 minutes to secure a 2–1 victory.

The route Scott occupies in the market is complicated. Arsenal remain focused on Bruno Guimarães, while Manchester United have widened their search across several midfield options, including Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. United are also hoping to finalize a deal with Atalanta’s Éderson after Brazil exited the World Cup. The midfield market has already been reshaped by moves involving Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, the latter two reportedly set to join Tottenham Hotspur in a transformation of Roberto De Zerbi’s midfield for no less than £185 million ($247 million).

Scott’s profile fits why he is attracting attention. He operated primarily in a double pivot alongside Tyler Adams or Ryan Christie for Bournemouth, described in the report as a positive, carry-first midfielder. Andoni Iraola highlighted his development after the Emirates win: “I’m very happy, because he is becoming a very, very complete player,” he said after Scott’s match-winning display against Arsenal in April.

Even with the rejection of Bournemouth’s offer, a move is not guaranteed this summer. The Cherries value Scott highly, and any prospective purchaser will face a club determined to keep a key figure for their maiden European campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have secured Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth, agreeing terms for the defender to join once his contract at Bournemouth expires at the end of the month. Senesi arrives as Spurs’ second free signing of the summer, following the departure of Liverpool left back Andy Robertson. Robertson is yet to be assigned a jersey, while Senesi has been given the No. 5 shirt.

The club has not formally disclosed the length of the contract, though it was previously reported as four years, taking the deal to the end of the 2029–30 Premier League season. Senesi is 29 now and would be 33 by then.

There had been interest in Senesi from a number of quarters. Some expected an immediate reunion with Andoni Iraola at Liverpool, especially given the perceived centre back shortage at Anfield. Chelsea and Manchester United were also reported as possible destinations. Senesi said Spurs’ approach made the difference: “Spurs really showed me that they wanted me, why they want me and what they expect from me. I’m happy for that.”

Manager Roberto De Zerbi highlighted what he believes Senesi will bring to the squad, pointing to the defender’s “experience, quality on the ball and competitive edge.” De Zerbi added: “He’s comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment. I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving and I’m looking forward to working with him and seeing the big contribution he can make to the team.”

Senesi has also described his style with the ball: “I like to have the ball at my feet and try to help the team build and be as offensive as we can, try to press as high as possible.

“I’ve just got that feeling of playing forward all the time. I don’t like to play too much to the sides. I just try to break the lines and try to be more offensive.”

Senesi did not make Argentina’s final 2026 World Cup squad and will therefore be available to begin preseason in early July. With lingering uncertainty surrounding captain Cristian Romero, Spurs may still pursue a second centre back. Reports from the Netherlands have linked Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham, with Micky van de Ven said to have spoken with him.

Jürgen Klopp’s final words on the microphone were recycled as the first Anfield chant for Arne Slot. That affectionate handover masks a blunt truth Slot himself flagged last season — a template that thrives on turnovers can be dismantled when opponents stop offering the ball.

Andoni Iraola arrives from Bournemouth with a reputation for relentless pressing. The former Rayo Vallecano coach transformed the Cherries into one of the Premier League’s most potent high-pressing teams, but their output collapsed when they were denied the chance to press. The financial gulf between Bournemouth and England’s elite only sharpens the question of how Iraola will adapt to a club operating on a far larger stage.

Klopp accepted that Liverpool had to marry their counter-pressing with control in possession. “The high individual quality of our players allows us to control games in possession now,” Klopp’s assistant Peter Krawietz told The Athletic after Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2020, “and to take up positions close to the ball—to be able to win it back again quickly if we do lose it.” Slot inherited a side that combined possession and pressing, but opponents altered the contest and Liverpool suffered as a result.

“I don’t think we do things different, I do see teams doing a lot of different things against us,” Slot explained in October after three straight defeats. “Teams played in a completely different way against us in the first half of last season than they did when we were top of the league and the Champions League after half the season. And I can see this going now into this part of this season.”

Iraola captured the same dilemma: “Playing against elite sides gives you opportunities other teams don’t,” Iraola has admitted. “What you have to do is stay on top of them as they bring the ball out and make them so uncomfortable that you can maneuver them into losing the ball.” That worked infrequently when Bournemouth had at least 55% possession in 2025–26 — one win from 13 games, 14 goals for and 13 points — versus 12 wins, 44 goals and 44 points in the 25 matches where they had less than 55% possession.

Slot also highlighted a short-term answer: “We have to find answers to that,” he explained. “Last season, one of the answers was set pieces—like many teams unlock low blocks with set pieces—and this season we haven’t done that, yet.” Set-piece data underlines the shared vulnerability: Liverpool conceded a league-high 20 set-piece goals; Bournemouth conceded 18 and faced the highest set-piece xG in the division. Stats via Opta.