Exclusive: Motherwell keen to re-sign Scottish striker but face transfer battle

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Exeter City forward James Scott could return to Scotland just as Livingston striker Joel Nouble prepares to join the Grecians.

A host of Scottish Premiership sides are battling to land former Scotland Under-21 forward James Scott, HITC Football understands.

Exeter City are set to allow Scott to move back north of the border this month and HITC Football sources have confirmed the interest in his signature is strong.

23-year-old Scott was something of a coup when Exeter landed him 12-months ago from Hull City, but he has not settled as expected in Devon and is now ready to move.

It is understood former club Motherwell are keen, as well as St Mirren, Dundee and Ross County.

Exeter already have a replacement lined up as they have also been busy in Scotland talking to Livingston about a deal for Joel Nouble and we understand he looks set to make the move to League One in the coming days.

Scotland return could help James Scott rediscover top form

Scott came up in the Motherwell ranks and made a senior debut in 2018 before really breaking through in the 2019-20 season.

Scott hit six goals in 28 games for Motherwell, earning himself a big £1.5million move to England with Hull City.

The move really didn’t work out though; Scott suffered a major ankle injury in his first training session with the Tigers and never really got back on track.

Scott managed just four goals in 36 games for Hull and spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Hibernian, bagging four goals in 16 league games.

That spell didn’t aid Scott’s first-team hopes at Hull and he was offloaded to Exeter in January of last year.

The 23-year-old managed just one goal in 15 games last season and three goals in 28 games this term, so Exeter are open to letting him leave.

Scott certainly has talent and needs to find a settled home in order to rediscover his best form.

Maybe a return to Motherwell can help do just that, with the emotional pull of a return to Fir Park no doubt strong.

Motherwell will face competition though, with Scott potentially facing a tricky decision on his next move with Scottish clubs queueing up for his signature.