Bournemouth have drawn a hard line over their plans for a 23-year-old midfielder, with Chelsea transfer news now centred on whether the Cherries can keep their prized asset through January.
According to Dean Jones, as reported by Flashscore, Bournemouth do not want to lose the midfielder halfway through the 2026/27 campaign. The club expect more enquiries, yet their position points firmly to an immediate rejection. Jones says Bournemouth value the player internally at more than €110 million, around £94.6 million at present, internally now.
That stance follows a summer in which Chelsea pushed strongly for the midfielder. BBC Sport reported in July that Chelsea had a £64 million offer rejected, while Bournemouth made clear they wanted to keep him. Sky Sports reported that Arsenal and Manchester United had interest too, with the player having rejected a new contract.
Chelsea’s interest has hardly disappeared. TEAMtalk reported in September that the London club could explore an arrangement allowing the midfielder to stay at Bournemouth until next summer. That approach would give Chelsea a chance to secure an agreement early, while avoiding a January fight that Bournemouth have little reason to accept.
Bournemouth have entered the season with European football, so keeping their midfield options intact makes sporting sense.
Why Alex Scott remains central to Chelsea?
Scott has become one of Bournemouth’s key midfielders since joining from Bristol City in 2023. The club paid a reported £25 million for him, a significant fee at the time. His current contract runs until 2028.
Chelsea need midfield depth after Enzo Fernandez left for Manchester City, and reports identify Scott as a major target. Bournemouth have little incentive to sell during the season.
Could Bournemouth really block a £95m move?
Yes, for now, though. The reported valuation sends a clear message, while Jones says Bournemouth expect Scott to stay for the entire season. In my view, the interesting part isn’t the £95 million figure; it’s the timing.
Chelsea could work on an agreement for next summer instead of forcing a January deal that Bournemouth have already signalled they won’t welcome. That would give the Blues room to plan, while Scott could finish the campaign without constant transfer noise around him.
For Bournemouth, keeping him has real sporting value. They can demand a huge fee later if his performances continue to rise. Chelsea may therefore have to wait, even if their interest remains strong.
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