West Ham United have joined the clubs that are keen on signing Bristol City teenager Alex Scott.
The 19-year-old midfielder earned plaudits from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola following his performance against the Premier League champions in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.
He has also been tipped to play for England by his own boss Nigel Pearson.
Guernsey-born Scott is already drawing comparisons with David Beckham and Jack Grealish – even being afforded the nickname ‘the Guernsey Grealish’ – and was the subject of offers from Wolves in January.
However, Scott is being valued at £25million and that proved too big a price for Wolves as they continue to evaluate the Bristol City No 7.
West Ham United have joined the clubs keen on signing Bristol City teen Alex Scott (above)
The midielder impressed in his side’s FA Cup defeat against Manchester City on Tuesday night
Newcastle United have also checked on Scott, who has amassed 76 appearances already since making his debut for City in 2021 and has been capped by England at U20 level.
Highly regarded by manager Nigel Pearson, he has been offered a new contract to stay at Ashton Gate but the club anticipate more offers will come this summer.
Tottenham, Everton, Brighton and Bournemouth, who tried to sign him as a 16-year-old from Guernsey, are all maintaining a watching brief.
West Ham are now firmly in the mix too after sending head of recruitment Rob Newman to run the rule over the teenager against City on Tuesday night.
City and England star Phil Foden’s resurgence continued with a fine double to send Guardiola’s side into the quarter-finals.
‘It’s been one of the lowest parts of my career,’ Foden said. ‘I’ve had discomfort in my feet and not been playing as much.
‘I love to play football and when I don’t, I’m a bit frustrated. We haven’t won the FA Cup in a while and it’s something we’ve been speaking about a lot.’
Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, on his return to the side, curled home a late third to put the gloss on the result.
City manager Pep Guardiola (left) heaped praise on the teen for his performance against City