Andoni Iraola Targets Alex Scott for Liverpool Rebuild

Andoni Iraola has barely had time to find his office at Melwood, but he already knows who he wants to build around.

The new Liverpool head coach, handed a two-year deal after Arne Slot’s dismissal last week, has reportedly marked Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as his ideal first signing and a central figure in his Anfield reset.

Iraola’s First Statement of Intent

Liverpool are coming off a flat, unforgiving season: fifth in the Premier League, no trophies, and a squad about to lose some of its defining pillars. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate are all set to depart at the end of the campaign, stripping the side of experience, leadership, and reliability in one sweep.

That kind of exodus forces clarity. Iraola needs energy, legs, and personality in midfield, and he wants them quickly.

According to Sports Boom, the Spaniard has zeroed in on Scott, the Bournemouth midfielder whose rise over the past year has turned heads across the division. Described as “unbelievable” by those around the club, the 22-year-old has put together a standout season at the Vitality Stadium, his form propelling him into the sights of several top sides.

Bournemouth Dig In, Scott Looks Outward

Bournemouth know exactly what they have. Scott has grown into a key figure, and the club are desperate to keep him. Plans are in place to offer him a new contract that reflects his elevated status and importance to the team.

The problem for Bournemouth is timing. Scott is understood to be open to a new challenge, and the prospect of stepping into a bigger stage at this point in his career is clearly on the table. A fresh deal on the south coast looks increasingly unlikely, and that’s where Liverpool sense an opening.

The numbers will decide how aggressive Iraola’s first move can be. Reports suggest Bournemouth value Scott at up to £60 million. Liverpool, according to Jamie Dickenson, are eyeing something closer to £40 million and are weighing up a bid that would test Bournemouth’s resolve and define the tone of their summer.

A Midfield Built for Iraola

Liverpool’s midfield has felt like a puzzle with missing pieces. Despite the presence of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai, the team were too often overrun, unable to consistently control games or sustain pressure in the way their best sides once did.

Jones, now heading into the final year of his contract, has been heavily linked with a move away. If he goes, the gap is obvious. Scott fits it neatly.

He brings energy, technical quality, and a sharpness in tight spaces that suits a high-intensity, front-foot style. For Iraola, who demands aggression without the ball and clarity with it, Scott’s profile is close to ideal. The added advantage is familiarity: he already knows Iraola’s methods and tactical demands from their time together at Bournemouth, which would strip away much of the usual adaptation period that can slow a big transfer.

For a new manager trying to stamp his identity on a dressing room in flux, that kind of ready-made understanding is priceless.

If Liverpool can drive the fee down towards their preferred figure and still get the deal done, Iraola’s first signing would send a clear message: this rebuild is not about nostalgia or half-measures. It’s about installing a new core, one piece at a time, starting with a 22-year-old who looks ready for a bigger stage and a heavier shirt.