Bournemouth are the latest Premier League side interested in signing Bristol City midfielder Alex Scott.
A report in the Sunday Mirror claims Gary O'Neil is eager to take the 19-year-old to the Vitality Stadium with his side expected to make signings under their new ownership following the takeover of American billionaire Bill Foley, who has anticipated "four or five" new additions next month.
In Monday's press conference, O'Neil admitted he would like to add depth to his squad in January with a focus on improving the spine of the team. Top-flight survival remains their main ambition and they currently sit three points above the drop zone.
Transfer interest in Scott is nothing out of the ordinary having previously been linked with Tottenham, Leeds, Everton and West Ham. Brighton and Crystal Palace have also made regular checks on the midfielder.
City have always been firm in their stance on selling Scott. It will take a very sizeable offer for them to consider cashing in and with a contract until 2025, there's no rush to entertain bids. However, owner Steve Lansdown said earlier this year that they would not stand in his way should a Premier League side come calling and when the inevitable does happen, City are in a position to drive a hard bargain.
Their valuation remains around the £20million mark and whether City will consider letting him leave should they receive a suitable offer in the New Year, given their precarious league position, remains to be seen.
Defeat at home to Stoke on Saturday leaves Nigel Pearson's side three points above the drop zone and with a home match to in-form West Brom on Boxing Day, followed up by away trips to Millwall and Coventry, there's every possibility City could drift closer to the bottom three.
On the other hand, Pearson has spoken of the necessity to bring in new faces to improve their form and league position. However, the most viable way of achieving that is by raising cash through player sales which can then be further reinvested.
That means the manager will need to weigh up the risk vs reward factor of letting one of the star players leave if it provides a great opportunity of ensuring Championship survival and reaching the ambitions of pushing into the top half of the table.
Striker Antoine Semenyo is the player most likely to be the first big-name departure. Although the club have yet to activate his one-year extension, they have security on his future until the summer of 2024.
However, it does suggest that if the striker doesn't leave during the upcoming window, the club will almost certainly have to sell him in the summer or risk a Han-Noah Massengo-type situation where he runs down his deal and leaves for nothing.
Bournemouth have also been linked with Semenyo but he won't be short of suitors with Palace, Rangers and Celtic all interested. Reports in Turkey also suggested Fenerbahce were looking into his availability but Bristol Live understands the club are yet to receive any concrete interest in the Ghana international.
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