Why Bristol City should move for James Scott as a long-term prospect
According to the Daily Record (h/t Bristol Live), Bristol City are monitoring young Motherwell striker James Scott, with a view to a potential move for the teenager before the end of the January transfer deadline.
The Robins have been keeping tabs on the 19-year-old for a long while but they have stepped up their interest over the past six weeks, with Lee Johnson keen to add more firepower to his strike force to boost his team’s surge for promotion during the crucial second half of the campaign. (h/t Bristol Live)
Bristol City’s interest in signing a new striker during the mid-season trading window has been well-documented in recent times. The Robins have been linked with a loan move for Arsenal starlet Eddie Nketiah while Slovan Bratislava hitman Andraz Sporar has also been touted with a move to Ashton Gate. (h/t Bristol Live)
However, the Robins have now apparently turned their attention to James Scott, who has scored 6 goals in 25 appearances for Scottish top-flight outfit Motherwell across all competitions so far this season.
The Glasgow-born starlet rose through the youth ranks of Motherwell, featuring for the U20 side in the Scottish Challenge Cup at the tender age of just 15. Scott was eventually handed his senior professional debut against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership back during the 2017-18 season and he went on to accumulate 12 appearances in the following campaign.
Scott, who made his debut for Scotland U21s last year, has established himself in a more significant role at his boyhood club north of the border this term and Bristol City are amongst those to have been alerted to his promise and potential.
As per the report, Motherwell won’t stand in the way if the Robins do make an official approach for the 19-year-old but a potential deal could hinge on whether Lee Johnson is prepared to match the Fir Park-outfit’s valuation of their prized asset.
Meanwhile, Bristol City settled for a 1-1 draw against Shrewsbury Town at the weekend to settle for a Round 3 replay in the FA Cup as the Robins struggled to break down the League One outfit.
The Robins had been flying high in the top-six race but a run of five losses in their last six games in the Championship has resulted in a slip down to 11th in the standings. Bristol City are still only three points adrift of the playoff spots and Johnson has time on his side to arrest the slide heading into the crucial second half of the campaign.
City’s interest in a new striker during the January window is quite understandable, given that Johnson has largely been forced to rely on the pairing on Famara Diedhiou and Andreas Weimann up top following the knee ligament injury to Stoke City loanee Benik Afobe early in the campaign.
Verdict
To put things into perspective, Bristol City need someone who would make an immediate impact in the Championship and while 19-year-old James Scott might not fit the bill in that regard, the Scottish starlet apparently has the talent and the potential to come through the door as a good long-term investment.
Taking into account the obvious differences between the two leagues, Scott might require time to settle down in the EFL Championship should a move to Ashton Gate materialize in January.
However, there have been obvious signs to suggest that he is capable of making the step up to a more competitive league in the near future and Bristol City could have a gem on their hands if Scott goes on to realize his potential in the years to come.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Robins need immediate game-changers in January to spearhead their push for promotion, bringing in an exciting young player like Scott is likely to work wonders for the club’s long-term plans moving forward.
Having said that, Bristol City shouldn’t hesitate to complete a deal for the Motherwell prodigy in January or next summer as the teenager looks destined for a big future in the game.
