Arsenal and Manchester United remain among the leading contenders to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.
The Premier League champions will not be resting on their laurels this summer and are looking to strengthen their attack, as well as their engine room.
Scott has emerged as a key target after he impressed against the Gunners during the Premier League run-in, scoring the goal that appeared to have put a major spanner in the works for the eventual champions and secure a 2-1 win for the Cherries at the Emirates Stadium.
Christian Norgaard, who only arrived last summer from Brentford, is likely to be deemed surplus to requirements with Arteta keen to rotate more often next term where Scott could complement Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Zubimendi.
Don’t miss a World Cup moment
We’re witnessing history at this World Cup – our daily newsletter helps you make the most of it. Sign up.
United, too, are keeping tabs on Scott’s situation at Bournemouth with midfield reinforcements required to compensate for the departure of Casemiro.
A deal for Atalanta’s Brazil international Ederson has already been agreed, but Michael Carrick is short of numbers otherwise, particularly with European football back on the Old Trafford agenda next season.
United also hold an interest in Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but appear to be losing ground in the race to sign West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
Reports last week indicated that Bournemouth would want at least £80m for Scott but the Daily Mail now claims a fee closer to £60m could be enough to secure the services of a player who came close to being included in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.
Scott’s current contract runs until 2028 but progress on a new deal is yet to materialise as the south coast club beings a new era under Andoni Iraola’s successor, Marco Rose.
The 23-year-old is not the only Bournemouth midfielder attracting interest from United meanwhile, with USA international Tyler Adams also said to have admirers.
Arsenal, too, have their eye on another Bournemouth player in the shape of Eli Junior Kroupi who enjoyed a stunning debut season on the south coast, capped by scoring the goal that cemented European qualification and handed the title to the north London club.