Liverpool are beginning to action their plans for the winter transfer window, and Julian Ward has come well prepared.
The Reds have been free-spending over the last 18 months, with over £650 million of transfer fees committed in the last three windows.
Andoni Iraola’s squad is far from complete though, and the club are looking to enter the transfer market once again this winter to bolster the Spaniard’s squad.
The midfield is the area that needs addressing most urgently, and Alex Scott has been identified as one of the top targets for the Reds, but plans are already in place should Liverpool miss out on the Englishman.
Julian Wards’ plan B for Alex Scott
Scott is widely regarded as one of the most in-demand midfielders on the market right now, but Bournemouth's valuation of around £100 million and strong interest from Chelsea will make things very difficult for the Reds.
Ward and the recruitment team at Anfield are well aware of this however, and plans are already being drawn up in case Liverpool do miss out this winter.
The two stars identified as potential alternatives to Scott are apparently Manu Kone of AS Roma and Lamine Camara of AS Monaco.
That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, which claims that Liverpool are doing their due diligence on the pair and preparing moves for if they cannot secure Scott’s signature.
Both midfielders have been linked with Merseyside moves for a while, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to many to see either one arrive at Anfield in January.
Camara came close to a move to Premier League rivals Chelsea in the summer, but remained in the principality of Monaco and could well be available again int the New year.
Liverpool’s priority remains signing Scott, but they will not be left high and dry if they cannot secure their top target, and Iraola’s squad looks increasingly likely to receive the midfield boost it so desperately needs.