Darren Bent has backed Arsenal to sign Alex Scott after Manchester City agreed a £116 million deal to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest. The former Premier League striker believes Scott represents better value for money than Anderson and suggests City are overpaying for the Forest midfielder.
City's record deal for Anderson
City had seen two offers for Anderson rejected by Forest before their £116m bid was accepted on Thursday night. The England international will now undergo a medical ahead of his move to the Etihad Stadium. Arsenal, meanwhile, have expressed an interest in signing Scott this summer and Bournemouth are demanding a £60m fee for the 22-year-old, who is also on Manchester United's shortlist.
Bent's verdict on value
'Elliot Anderson for £120m or Alex Scott for £60m, I'm taking Alex Scott all day, every day. There's no way on the planet that Elliot Anderson is £60m better than Alex Scott, he's just not,' Bent told talkSPORT. 'I like Elliot Anderson, I think he's a top player but for that money, £120 million is crazy. He's been decent [at the World Cup] but not £120m. Alex Scott for £60m, I promise you now if I had the choice.'
In a separate show, Bent added: 'This is where transfer fees are crazy. Elliot Anderson is brilliant but I'm saying he's not £40m better than Alex Scott. If he comes to Arsenal, I'm just not sure where he plays because you've got [Martin] Zubimendi who is the holder, or [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, then you have [Declan] Rice as the No.8. You know what though, I'd take him at Arsenal because he'll get so many minutes. He's a top player and, you never know, he can force his way in. He has had a wonderful season but I always think it's that next level. Going to play for Arsenal or Manchester United, when you're in the Champions League and all these different various competitions, the expectation goes through the roof.'
