Chelsea are growing optimistic about landing Bournemouth’s Alex Scott when the January window opens, according to TEAMtalk. The Blues failed to land a midfield reinforcement this summer and now see the England international as the ideal solution.
Chelsea’s Midfield Problem
Xabi Alonso’s side sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City and let Andrey Santos leave, then signed Jordan Henderson. A late move for Monaco’s Lamine Camara collapsed on deadline day after the French club blocked the deal.
Alonso currently has Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Valentín Barco and Henderson in deeper roles. He has even deployed right-backs Malo Gusto and Reece James in midfield to fill the gaps.
Bournemouth’s Stance on Scott
The 23-year-old has two years left on his deal at the Vitality Stadium and has reportedly turned down a new contract. The Cherries are prepared to add a release clause to tempt him, yet they remain reluctant to sell in January and want around £100m.
What Scott Offers
Scott is a technically gifted box-to-box midfielder who can also play as a defensive midfielder or cover at number ten. He is tidy in possession, strong in tight areas and dependable defensively. He has two goal contributions in six appearances this season, although a muscle injury picked up on England duty is expected to keep him out for over a month.
Our Opinion
Scott fits Chelsea’s needs on paper, and his age and versatility make him an appealing long-term investment. However, £100m is a steep fee for a player with limited top-level experience. It will be intriguing to see whether Bournemouth soften their stance or Chelsea have to wait until next summer.