Newcastle United's immediate focus is on resurrecting their unexpected top-four push, but plans are already being drawn up for the second phase of the rebuild on Tyneside. Talks are ongoing for a new contract for Bruno Guimaraes, as Eddie Howe looks to shape a squad capable bridging the gap to the so-called 'Big Six'.
Marquee arrivals who fit the Magpies' newfound ethos while also passing the strict FFP requirements are likely to be on the agenda over the coming months. However, the academy restructuring and recruits to date along with the January moves for both Harrison Ashby and Anthony Gordon prove United also have one eye on the future.
One such player who could feasibly tick both boxes for being 'ready to play' immediately for Howe while also fulfilling a long-term role on Tyneside is Alex Scott. Newcastle are one of a host of Premier League clubs credited with an interest in the Bristol City wonderkid, who recently saw his stock rise even higher following his display in the Robins' FA Cup fifth-round home defeat to Manchester City.
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Scott was the subject of praise from Pep Guardiola and ITV Sport pundit Roy Keane following the encounter at Ashton Gate last month. Richard Forrester, the Bristol City reporter for Bristol Live, now believes that a summer exit for the highly-rated 19-year-old is now almost inevitable.
Forrester told ChronicleLive: "He's a bit of a prodigal son, everyone loves him here. First, obviously because of his ability and he came through the academy when he signed from Guernsey at 16. But also because of his personality off the pitch, he's really mature, down to earth, very likeable lad.
"When you speak to him about transfer speculation, he comes across really grounded and that translates on to the pitch. He's built up a great rapport with supporters, and I think there's kind of an acceptance now he'll be off in the summer. As long as Bristol City get good money for him which I'm sure they will, he'll go with everyone's best wishes."
Scott is currently starring as a number 10 in Nigel Pearson's side this term, but spent a period of last season deputising as a wing-back. The England youth international prefers a more attacking role, but has also showcased his flexibility in fulfilling both the deep-lying and box-to-box positions.
Reflecting on Scott's style of play, Forrester said: "Firstly, you can ask everyone with Bristol City and they'll say the same thing, he's an unbelievable talent. The way he kind of glides across the pitch, you watch players and instantly know they have got talent.
"I'm not comparing him to Eden Hazard, but that kind of way they can breeze past players, it's the same as Jack Grealish. He's just a really talented player, and at the start of the season Pearson put him through the middle having solved the problem [at right wing-back]. He's really grown into that role, and become a massive influence on the side from the number 10 position."
Like most managers, Pearson was initially reluctant to speak too much about Scott once the teenager made his senior breakthrough. However, with the 'secret' over the rising star now out of the bag, the ex-Newcastle caretaker boss has admitted his confidence in the Robins' prospect one day representing the Three Lions at senior level.
Scott has already made 83 appearances for the Championship side, but only has a solitary goal to his name so far this campaign. It is the one noticeable blot on the report card for the midfielder who has been moved into an advanced role over the last month, and it is an area of the teenager's game that he himself admits needs to improve.
Asked if Scott has any obvious weaknesses right now, Forrester explained: "Goals, that's it really. He'll tell you that himself, goals and assists. He scored his first goal of the season a month or so ago, but it's a part of his game you can see him working on.
"He's making those runs from deep, it's all about timing. That's the only thing he really needs to improve to take him to that next level, he will improve on his all-round play but there's nothing else you watch and think he needs to improve."
Transfer speculation is nothing new when it comes to Scott, with Leicester, Tottenham and Wolves among those linked in recent months. The in-demand midfielder has already made 40 first-team appearances this season, and Forrester has been convinced over the course of the campaign that the transfer target is already capable of making an impression in the Premier League.
The City reporter said: "It's a bit of a debate really. If you asked me about three or four months ago, I probably would have said he isn't Premier League ready. But the way he's kicked on in the last few months, and the way he performed against Manchester City, makes me and the majority think that he's probably Premier League ready.
"Whether he could go into a club like Newcastle and get a starting role there with the amount of talent they have on the books there...any of those clubs in the top 10, that's really difficult to say. I've got no real doubt that if he continues his form and his progress from now until the end of the season, he could be having an impact in the Premier League."
Howe has experimented with a number 10 in recent matches, with record signing Alexander Isak often introduced from the bench in support of Callum Wilson. Newcastle have otherwise enjoyed great success with a three-man midfield, with two box-to-box runners either side of a more defensive option.
The new demands from anyone hoping to make the switch to St James' Park are high, with all expected to contribute to the team's intensity and pressure out of possession. Forrester is confident Scott has already proven he could be a natural fit for Newcastle's current approach, and has outlined the teenager's characteristics off the pitch which hint he would have no problem passing the club's character test.
Forrester said: "He's just a really down to earth bloke, that's credit to him and his family as he's got great people around him. With Scott in particular you can ask him about the clubs being linked with him, the hype around his name and how he deals with it.
"He doesn't use social media much, he blocks it out and does his talking on the pitch. He just loves playing football and that's all he's really focused on. He's obviously under no illusions about his talent and how far he can go with it. His honesty and his groundedness and the combination make him a very likeable person.
"Bristol City play with a high press and intensity, and he's very good at carrying the ball from deep and breaking forward. From the outside, it does seem a pretty good fit in terms of style of play."
Newcastle's reported interest is just the latest in a steady line of claims, and a 'bidding war' could be on the cards this summer as Scott prepares to enter the final two years of his contract. The talented teenager is expected to fetch in the region of £25 million, with a 'growing acceptance' around the club that the next three months will be the midfielder's last in a City shirt.
Forrester added: "I think over the last 18 months or so, there's a bit more of an acceptance that the secret is out with Alex Scott. I think everyone accepts now that he'll probably leave at the end of the season.
"I don't think it will be for anything less than £25m, considering the amount of interest which is rising. If it starts a bidding war, that might even increase a little bit."
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