i stopped buying Scouts and rely on PT my players alone since 2 seasons

you know what, i spend 80 Greens just to turn 4* (49) into 6*(55), to make him hit 7* (60) (my scout list have players 6* (59, 58)) he will now require more, around 100 greens to hit next star in slower rate (as he moved a star up)
how much that in token terms? around 160T

now you think he will last longer, without PT him again once he hit 7*.. wrong, may be one season more.. a scout can last 3 seasons, with PT he will last 4 season (without PT) but you will pay 100T more

so scout is the best option imo, unless you find 5* near 6* players