West Ham United transfer target Alex Scott ‘ready’ for Premier League as £20m update emerges – Sky Sports pundit
Paul Robinson admits West Ham target Alex Scott is “ready” for the Premier League but wants to see him move back on loan to Bristol City should a deal materialise.
The English wonderkid has been heavily linked with a Premier League move over the past month, with The Sun revealing on 18 February that West Ham and Crystal Palace were both reportedly battling it out for his signature.
The Telegraph revealed on 9 March that Wolves have joined the race and the Midlands outfit are preparing a £20m bid for the young playmaker.
And speaking to Sky Sports [transcribed by Bristol World, 13 March], the ex-Tottenham Hotspur and England goalkeeper said after Scott bagged his first goal of the season against Blackpool on Saturday: “There are figures of £20-30m that have been bandied about. West Ham and Wolves are two clubs that have been touted with him and you can see why with a performance like that today.
“He’s two years into a four-year deal, there’s going to be coming a time where he’s either going to have to go into contract negotiations or Bristol City are going to have to cash in on him.
“If there is a structure around him, he’s got good people around him, he could be loaned back where he’s sold for big money now, gets a good wage, a good contract, and potential at a top Premier League club to then be loaned back to Bristol City or another Championship club to continue his development.
“You look at him today, he’s ready, he’s more than ready.”
More than ready
If you’re a 19-year-old Championship regular and already attracting interest from top clubs in the Premier League after a string of consistent performances in the second division, then you are certainly ready to make the step up to the next level.
And that is indeed the case of Bristol City’s wonderkid Alex Scott who has swiftly emerged as one of the country’s most flawless young talents.
Considering the player’s potential and undoubted current quality, this is a player West Ham should make one of their priority targets for next season.
However, Robinson is absolutely right. Game time at his next club in the Premier League certainly isn’t guaranteed which means Scott may well be inclined to seek a loan move back to the Championship to further his development.
Another season learning his trade could do his future at the top level the world of good, as he may not be ready for the rigours of the English top flight so soon.
Nonetheless, wherever he ends up, his next club will certainly possess a huge and stunning talent in their hands.