REUTERS/Hollie Adams via Action Images
Chelsea are readying themselves to make a £70m bid to sign one of Xabi Alonso's top targets this summer, according to Caught Offside.
The Blues have had a busy summer already, seeing Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha linking up with the squad after pre-agreeing deals prior to the transfer window, while Marco Palestra, Maxence Lacroix and Morgan Rogers have also been signed.
But the new manager is still keen to make further additions as he looks to get the team back to competing at the highest level following a disappointing campaign last time around, and a new midfielder is considered a priority.
Chelsea Ready New Alex Scott Bid
via Reuters
According to journalist Mark Brus, Chelsea are readying a new £70m bid to sign Bournemouth star Alex Scott.
Scott, who has been described as 'unbelievable', had been the subject of a £64m bid by the Blues earlier in the transfer window, but the Cherries were adamant that they would not sanction a sale for the 22-year-old, as they want to keep him.
The midfielder has since rejected a new contract offer to extend his stay at the Vitality Stadium, and is now in the final two years of his deal. However, Bournemouth are still not willing to make a sale at this stage, as they want to keep their squad together.
It's understood that the new £70m bid is likely to be rejected by Bournemouth once it is made, but Chelsea are hopeful that the offer will open up an avenue for negotiation, with some sources believing that Scott is valued at around £80m.
Scott is viewed as one of the top targets at Stamford Bridge for the final month of the transfer window, and the imminent move for Jordan Henderson is not expected to have any effect on this pursuit.
Scott to Replace Enzo Fernandez?
REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli
One of the biggest question marks around the Chelsea squad currently is the future of Enzo Fernandez, who has made it clear that he is keen to leave Stamford Bridge.
The west London side have put a £120m valuation on the Argentina international, but so far no deal has materialised. A move is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks once he returns from his holiday, and it's possible that Scott could be viewed as his replacement to go alongside Moises Caicedo in the heart of the team.
Chelsea have made it clear that they are willing to pay big money to land their top targets, and Scott is now emerging as someone who could be next to arrive.