Iraola Targets Alex Scott as First Signing for Liverpool

Andoni Iraola has not wasted time sketching out his vision for Liverpool. Days after signing a two-year deal to replace the sacked Arne Slot, the new manager has already pinpointed the player he wants to spearhead his rebuild: Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

A summer of upheaval awaits at Anfield. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are all set to leave at the end of the season, stripping the squad of experience, leadership and star quality in one hit. Fifth place in the Premier League and an empty trophy cabinet cost Slot his job; Iraola has been hired to jolt Liverpool back into contention, and that means reshaping the core of his team.

Right at the heart of that plan sits Scott.

Iraola’s first statement signing

According to Sports Boom, Iraola has identified the Bournemouth midfielder as his ideal first signing at Anfield. Not just a useful addition, but the headline act of his “revolution”.

Scott’s rise on the south coast has been rapid. Described as “unbelievable” by admirers, the 22-year-old has delivered a standout campaign for the Cherries, his performances pushing his reputation into a different bracket and dragging the attention of several leading clubs onto his contract situation at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth know exactly what they have. Scott is now central to their project, and they are desperate to keep him. A new contract is being lined up to reflect his status as a key player, a clear attempt to shut the door on predators higher up the table.

The problem for them? Scott is understood to be open to a new challenge. At 22, with his stock high and his game maturing, the prospect of stepping into a bigger arena is appealing. A fresh deal on the south coast looks increasingly unlikely.

Liverpool are watching closely. Rather than waiting for the market to move around them, they are considering a bid designed to test Bournemouth’s resolve and their valuation. Reports suggest the Cherries rate Scott at up to £60m. Liverpool, according to Jamie Dickenson, are eyeing a figure closer to £40m.

That gap will define the negotiation. But the intent is clear: Iraola wants Scott in red.

Fixing a fragile midfield

The attraction is obvious when you look at Liverpool’s recent struggles. Last season, their midfield often frayed under pressure. On paper, the options looked strong – Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai – yet too often the unit felt disjointed, easy to overrun, short of balance.

Jones, who has drifted in and out of the side, is now heavily linked with a move away as he enters the final year of his contract. If he goes, the hole is obvious. Liverpool would lose a homegrown midfielder in his prime years, and they cannot afford to leave that space unfilled.

Scott fits that vacancy almost perfectly. He brings energy and bite, but also composure and quality on the ball. He can knit play, drive through lines, and operate in the kind of high-tempo, aggressive system Iraola favours. For a manager who demands intensity and clarity from his midfield, Scott looks like a tailor-made piece.

The added bonus is familiarity. Scott already understands Iraola’s methods and tactical demands from their time together at Bournemouth. That shortens the adaptation curve at a club where the expectations hit new signings from day one. Instead of spending months learning the system, he could help set the tone for it.

The price will dictate how bold Liverpool can be in other areas of the squad, but as an opening move, it makes sense. A 22-year-old with Premier League experience, a soaring reputation and a skill set aligned to the new manager’s blueprint is exactly the kind of signing that can define a new era.

If Liverpool get this one over the line, Iraola’s reign will begin not with a whisper, but with a clear statement about where he wants to take the midfield – and how quickly he plans to get there.