Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign Alex Scott after Bournemouth were reportedly unwilling to let the midfielder leave in the January transfer window. The Cherries are determined to keep hold of the 23-year-old for at least the end of the campaign.
The Blues were ready to renew their interest when the winter window opens after having their summer advances firmly rejected. Chelsea are very interested in Scott, who they believe would be a great fit for Xabi Alonso’s system. The England international is also said to be open to a transfer to Stamford Bridge.
But Bournemouth expect interest in their prized asset and are preparing to turn it down, with reports claiming the club values Scott at €110m. That would make any mid-season deal prohibitively expensive for the West London outfit.
Bournemouth’s stubbornness comes from their summer strategy, having lost head coach Andoni Iraola and defender Marcos Senesi before their first Europa League campaign. Scott’s contract runs until 2028, and he is understood to have turned down a number of offers to extend his stay at the Vitality Stadium. That stalemate could give Chelsea more power in future negotiations, with serious talks now expected to move to summer 2027.
The Blues are expected to stay at the front of the queue, with reports claiming they would be at the head of the queue if Bournemouth change their stance. Scott has further enhanced his credentials this term with a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the current Nations League matches.
Chelsea short of midfield options after Enzo Fernandez exit
Chelsea’s interest in Scott is mainly because Enzo Fernandez left for Manchester City on deadline day. The Argentina international moved to the Etihad outfit for £125m, a fee that matched the British record paid by Liverpool to Newcastle for Alexander Isak.
The Blues were ready to replace Fernandez with Monaco’s Lamine Camara, but the French club pulled out of a £47m deal in the dying moments of the window. That collapse has left Alonso with far fewer established central options than he had envisaged for the new campaign.
The shortage has been compounded by the absence of Moises Caicedo, who had played just 14 minutes this season before the international break. The Premier League is back in action following the international break, with Chelsea welcoming Scott’s Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on October 10.