Manchester United may be in a good position to sign a Bournemouth star after securing Champions League football with a potential financial boost
Manchester United may have moved a step closer to landing Alex Scott after clinching Champions League football at the weekend. The Bournemouth midfielder, who has been valued at around £50million, is firmly on the radar of Old Trafford chiefs, with Casemiro set to depart this summer.
With Andoni Iraola emerging as a frontrunner to take the hotseat should Michael Carrick miss out on the manager's role permanently, he could bring one of his favourite players along with him. Scott has previously made clear that he would only consider leaving Bournemouth if a Champions League club came knocking — which United will be next season.
Speaking to Transfermarkt in February, Scott said: "At some point, of course, I'd love to be playing Champions League football. Obviously playing non-league just over six years ago, it's all happened very quickly so I had to grow up very quickly. But that's definitely helped me."
The midfielder, who was brought to Bournemouth by boss Iraola three years ago, added: "Everyone wants to play at the highest level and be one of the best players in the world, in the league and play for their country. They're definitely dreams of mine. They were dreams from when I was a kid. I'd also love to be playing in the major tournaments for England."
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The financial implications of securing European qualification could prove crucial to the club's transfer strategy, as football finance expert Kieran Maguire disclosed that United could earn at least £70million from the competition.
Maguire explained: "You'll get a minimum of effectively £30million just for rocking up. Then it works out as €2million per match if you get a victory, €700,000 if you get a draw in terms of prize money. And on top of that, you've got gate receipts.
"You're guaranteed four home fixtures, potentially could be seven to eight home fixtures. For a club the size of United, they should be looking to get £8million per match in gate receipts. So you've got a minimum of £30million from gate receipts, another £30million for participation.
"So that's £60million minimum. They'll get the Adidas [kit supplier] bonus of £10million, so that's £70million. And as you progress through the tournament, you can start adding the numbers.
"I think there's around about €150million for winning it last year. Now that was for a club with a fairly good UEFA coefficient, which United don't have these days because they've not been as good as they have been.
"But even so, I think you'd be looking at €120million and of course if you win the tournament, you qualify for the next FIFA Club World Cup, which made Chelsea £80million. It really does ratchet up."
The midfielder's alliance with Iraola is due to come to an end when the season concludes. The Spaniard confirmed his intention to depart last month upon the expiry of his contract. The 43-year-old is yet to determine his next career move but has consistently been touted as a candidate for the United role.
However, with interim boss Carrick enjoying a stellar stint at his former club, it remains to be seen whether the Englishman may be offered the permanent job come the summer.