As Tottenham prepare to play their final five games of the season, talk has already turned to the summer transfer window. The business Spurs are able to do is likely to depend on a number of factors, including whether they can secure Champions League football for next season or not.
Antonio Conte's side are just two points off the top four, but still have the rescheduled North London Derby to play, as well as a trip to Anfield. Recent performances and results against Brighton and Brentford have reiterated the work that still needs to be done.
Fabio Paratici will be expected to have a busy summer, with both incomings and outgoings needed to strengthen the Tottenham squad. One player that reports have suggested Spurs are interested in, is Bristol City's Alex Scott.
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The 18-year-old has made 36 Championship appearances so far this season, scoring four goals and registering two assists. After making just one league start last season, Scott has come on leaps and bounds and is receiving deserved praise for it.
"Alex is a real talent and we’ve seen continued progress in his development since his arrival, so for him to commit his long-term future with us is fantastic for everyone," the City chairman admitted last year, a few months after Scott signed a new four-year deal. The midfielder has also made appearances for both the England Under-18s and Under-19s and opened up on his hopes for the future on Thursday.
"I think at the moment and the way it's going, my dream would be to play for England. Especially playing in the younger age groups and you see the first team players sometimes when you're there and it's a big dream for me to play for England as I progress," Scott told Bristol Live.
"Maybe at the start of the season, it would have just been playing as many games as I can for Bristol City. I didn't expect to be playing so many games. I'd have been happy with 10.
"Now for the next season it would be to start every game and be the first name on the team-sheet and that would be my main objective. But for the rest of my career, it would be to play for England."
This season, Scott has played in various positions, mostly at right wing-back but also with appearances in midfield. This versatility would be a boost to a Conte team, who are lacking options in various positions and quality in the depth of the Tottenham squad. While Scott's main aim is playing for his country, he has also spoken about the potential of a Premier League move.
"Moving to a Premier League team now or a bigger team you're only going to playing Under-23s or sitting on the bench so I think playing week-in-week-out now is definitely benefitting me. In the future maybe I'll push on and play in the Premier League, hopefully with Bristol City but playing week-in-week-out is definitely the best thing for me," the English international admitted.
At first read, this may seem like a blow for Spurs, however it could work in their favour. Reports on the 18-year-old have stressed his ambition, as well as his passing range and chance creation, on top of his versatility.
Oliver Skipp had a successful loan spell with Norwich last season, where he made 45 appearances for the then Championship side and started in 44 of them. The Canaries are also one of the Premier League teams who are reportedly interested in Scott, as well as Leeds.
Skipp then returned to Tottenham for the 2021/22 campaign and before his injury, was performing as if he had been playing in the Premier League for years. Therefore a promising option for Tottenham could be to sign the Bristol City starlet and then loan him out, either back to his current club or elsewhere.
As the 18-year-old alluded to, playing regular football is what he wants and needs. A loan spell would help aid his development, improve his experience and he could then return to Tottenham, whether that be in a couple of seasons or more and potentially slot into the regular team and showcase his ability in the Premier League.
