REUTERS/Hollie Adams via Action Images
Chelsea could move for AFC Bournemouth star Alex Scott next summer after they agreed to sell Enzo Fernandez ahead of the Tuesday night deadline. City boss Enzo Maresca had been pushing for weeks to lure his former midfielder to the Etihad Stadium, and the Argentine was equally keen on a reunion.
Offered a British record-equalling £125million, Chelsea granted said reunion, and while the money will have been welcomed after a summer of big spending, it did leave Xabi Alonso with a sizable void, albeit Fernandez wasn't a great fit for the Spaniard's system.
Chelsea would have liked to sign a new midfielder, but with Manu Koné staying put at AS Roma, their options were limited.
Ultimately, Alonso will go with what he has, at least until January, and perhaps until next summer, depending on how things are going.
Providing an update on the Chelsea situation on the Tuesday edition of GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast, Ben Jacobs said: "There is no guarantee, I am now told, that Chelsea add another midfielder, which is a bit of a surprise because they bid twice for Lamine Camara. The problem there is Monaco's valuation, and Monaco need a replacement, and the window in France closes earlier than here in the UK. Manu Kone they tried, but Jean Piero Gasperini blocked the move.
"There were other names like Morgan Gibbs White, kind of a dream target, but there was never any chance of that getting done. Lucas Bergvall was discussed as well, Martin Zubimendi, but Arsenal didn't add, so they didn't need any outgoings, and that's why there was never a chance of getting Zubimendi either. So Chelsea have kind of resigned themselves, barring any late surprises, which of course are always possible in these final hours of the window.
"But as of now, Chelsea's feeling is they've actually brought in this summer a British record of their own, over £500million in incomings, and if they can't do anything, they don't now. And the expectations are that's the direction of travel. They will plan for January onwards, and I suspect that in 2027, Alex Scott will form a huge part of their thinking."
Alex Scott's 2025/26 Premier League stats
Appearances: 27
Goals: 3
Pass success: 84.9%
Clearances: 2.2 per game
Key passes: 0.7 per game
Scott likely to be granted summer of 2027 move
via Reuters
Scott's star is rising quickly, and after a superb season of last, he managed to land a spot as a main deputy for the England World Cup squad, even joining the Three Lions on their pre-tournament training base in Florida.
A modern-type hybrid midfielder, Scott is a sought-after commodity, but Bournemouth were not willing to lose him ahead of a European campaign. Manchester United were linked with a move for Scott early in the summer, but they didn't get anywhere with their efforts.
A move next summer will be much more likely, and it will be interesting to see not only if Chelsea pursue a move, but if they have significant competition for his signature.