Man Utd have secret weapon to complete £60m transfer ahead of Liverpool | Football | Sport

Manchester United possess one distinct advantage over their rivals in the pursuit of Alex Scott this summer. With midfield reinforcements firmly on the agenda, the Red Devils have been strongly linked with a move for the Bournemouth playmaker. However, Liverpool are also said to be in the race for the £60million-rated midfielder, meaning United face a battle to land their target.

Scott has linked up with the England squad ahead of the World Cup, though he falls outside of Thomas Tuchel’s official party for the tournament. Instead, he has made the trip to North America as one of five additional players brought along to bolster the squad during their pre-tournament friendlies. He was an unused substitute as the Three Lions edged a hard-fought 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday.

He could yet feature, however, in Wednesday’s final World Cup warm-up clash against Costa Rica.

Given the rumoured interest in Scott’s signature, United could utilise every advantage available in their pursuit of the midfielder’s services should they ultimately opt to launch a bid. Having a family member already on the books could prove crucial in this respect.

His step-sister, Maya Le Tissier, arrived at United from Brighton in the summer of 2022, the same year she earned her first England caps. She was included in the PFA Women’s Super League Team of the Year following her inaugural campaign at Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old’s progression at United continued when she was voted the club’s Player of the Season in 2024. Later that year, she was then appointed United’s new captain following Katie Zelem’s departure.

The prospect of two England internationals from the same family lining up for the same club is a rare and enticing proposition for Scott.

The midfielder has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the football pyramid after making his name at Bristol City, who pocketed a club-record £25million when Bournemouth snapped him up in 2023.

Scott has looked entirely at home in the Premier League ever since, playing a pivotal role as the Cherries secured a club-record sixth-place finish this season. He is now poised to feature in the club’s first-ever European campaign as they prepare to enter the Europa League.

Yet he may still find himself competing at the very highest level on the continent, with United having secured their place in the Champions League.

This follows what has already been a transformative summer, bolstered further by his involvement with England on their tour of the United States.

All the signs point to Scott being firmly in the plans for a potentially bright international future with the Three Lions. And United could boast two England stars from the same family at Old Trafford should they succeed in landing his signature before the summer window closes.

Speaking about Le Tissier at a press conference following his international call-up, Scott said: “We’ve grown up together, playing football together in the same teams back home, local football.

“We’re very close. We speak most days. And like I said before, obviously so proud of where she’s come from, and now where she is so successful.

“She has told me to just enjoy it and be yourself and show what you can do and do what you’ve been doing for all these years. I mean, she’s seen me grow a lot as a person, as a football player as well.

“I think back in the day when I was back home playing local football, she would have never thought that I’d have gone on to be a professional, and neither would I. So she’s obviously so pleased for me. She texted me straight away as soon as she got the news.

“It’s nice to have someone around who’s experienced it and been around the Lionesses and England in general, she can help me out with advice on playing at the top level and top pressured situation.”

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