Liverpool and Chelsea have been linked with moves for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott but the Reds have been urged to look elsewhere by one of their former players.
The 23-year-old joined the Cherries from Bristol City in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around £25 million and has made an impression in the Premier League.
His performances earned him his first two England caps over the most recent international break and he was thoroughly impressive in the 7-0 victory over Croatia in his full debut for the Three Lions.
The midfielder had already been linked with a string of top clubs before making his mark for his country and a departure from Bournemouth in 2027 only seems more likely now.
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His club have reportedly softened their stance on an exit, previously ruling out a transfer, but now Bournemouth are willing to let him go for around £100m next year.
Scott is still on the same contract he signed in 2023, which expires in 2028, so the Cherries are running out of time to cash in on one of their best players.
Liverpool, managed by former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, are interested in Scott, but ex-Reds striker Stan Collymore reckons they should be looking elsewhere.
Specifically, he thinks Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton would be a better fit for Liverpool’s current needs.
‘Alex Scott is an all-round midfielder and he is not as great at going back as [Elliot] Anderson, Wharton or [Declan] Rice. He can create chances and he is an all-round midfielder, but I don’t think he is needed for Liverpool,’ Collymore told Betarades.gr.
‘I think his best position is in that [Florian] Wirtz area and Liverpool doesn’t need two players in the same area. What Liverpool need is a hard-working midfielder who can get the job done both ways.
‘For me, Wharton would be better suited for that than Alex Scott.’
Collymore does admit that Wharton’s form has not been as good recently as it was, but still feels that he is good enough for the highest level.
‘I like Adam Wharton. He never stops moving and he is a bit similar to Elliot Anderson or Jack Hinshelwood. In that position, obviously Declan Rice is peaking now at Arsenal,’ said the ex-England forward.
‘You need to have a midfielder who has the discipline to sit in front of the back four but is good enough technically to pick the ball up and get the team playing. He has to do all kinds of unseen work, which can make it easier for your front three to perform.”
‘Adam Wharton has all the abilities to do that and I am surprised he is still at Crystal Palace, but we also have to say that his performances the last 18 months have been up and down. The club has been up and down as well.’
Collymore added: ‘Do I think he is as good as Elliot Anderson? He is very good on the ball, but I think Anderson has a gear or two more in him and personally I think Elliot Anderson in maybe three years time will be even better than Declan Rice, which might sound a bit silly right now.
‘Anderson can do everything. He can grow into becoming better than Rice. He can do anything.
But for Liverpool, yes, Adam Wharton would be a good signing. Maybe he would be a 7/10 or 8/10 signing. He is a quality midfielder and Liverpool are looking at him for sure.’