This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
West Ham United are reportedly weighing up a summer bid for Bristol City teenager Alex Scott.
The 18-year-old has caught the eye with his stunning emergence at Ashton Gate this season and, according to Hammers insider ExWHUEmployee on the West Ham Way podcast, he’s a player that the east London club are now weighing up a bid for.
But would be a good signing for West Ham? And do they need him?
We quizzed our FLW writers for their thoughts…
Can you name which English club these 24 ex-Bristol City players play for now?
Marcus Ally
In terms of taking on a project of a player with a very high potential ceiling, Alex Scott would arguably represent smart business for any Premier League club in the summer.
Bristol City have taken care of their side of the situation, tying him down to a long-term contract and therefore ensuring that the 18-year-old will not leave the club for a reduced fee.
Scott has been a key player for the Robins this season and embodies a figure of hope at Ashton Gate, along with the likes of Han-Noah Massengo and Antoine Semenyo.
Nigel Pearson appears to be achieving gradual progress at the club, although cashing in on some of their more valuable players this summer could stall their improvement.
West Ham seems like a good fit for Scott, with the Hammers looking to deepen their squad to sustain a position in the Premier League’s top eight.
George Dagless
It’s certainly one to think about for the Hammers.
He’s still very young and you just don’t know what could happen with his development but the Irons can only work on what they see at the moment and that is that he is a very talented young footballer.
He’s looked at home in the Championship for Bristol City and played plenty of games despite his young age and that should suggest that he is going to have a good career at a good level.
West Ham have shown a willingness to use the EFL for inspiration in terms of signings and I think they could get Scott in for a decent fee at this stage, too, with his value then potentially set to soar in the years ahead.
All in all, it’s absolutely worth a look.
Ben Wignall
I think it may be perhaps a bit too early in Scott’s career for him to make this step up.
There’s no denying that the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ is a very talented player and at the age of 18 he is more than holding his own in the Championship for the Robins.
He has shown some very good playmaking abilities and also has three goals to his name, whilst proving that he can play in a number of different positions across the pitch despite his lack of experience.
I can’t see him getting in West Ham’s team for a good few years though should he make the move – the Hammers should be looking for a long-term Mark Noble replacement and I just think that Scott perhaps lacks the defensive qualities for that role.
That may come in time though the more experience he gets, but as a more forward-thinking midfielder there would be a lot of competition for a place with the likes of Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini.
If he were to make the move to the London Stadium then a loan back to Ashton Gate for the duration of the 2022-23 season would make a lot of sense and if I were City I wouldn’t be accepting anything less than £8 million for Scott.
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/a-very-talented-young-footballer-west-ham-may-chase-summer-bristol-city-deal-the-verdict/
