Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images
Image of Bournemouth's Alex Scott looking off camera during a match against Liverpool, with a news overlay about him potentially being on sale in January
Photo by David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez /NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez /NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
A graphic showing Jordan Henderson's match statistics (goals, assists, key passes and pass completion rate) against for Chelsea FC against Bournemouth. Image shows Jordan Henderson celebrating.
Credit: Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
The first is that Chelsea will have to increase their £64m summer bid by almost half. The Cherries want £100m for Scott, whose stock is on the rise despite suffering an injury during his first England start.
The second condition – and this is out of Chelsea’s power after their 5-1 hammering of Bournemouth on Saturday – is that the Cherries want to be safely above a relegation fight in January if they are to sell.
If Bournemouth are in the middle of a dogfight – with Marco Rose yet to pick up his first Premier League win since replacing Andoni Iraola – then the Cherries may delay Scott’s sale until the summer window.
Alex Scott wants Chelsea move, thanks to two current Blues stars
Chelsea then might have shot themselves in the foot in terms of getting a deal over the line for Scott, by smashing Rose’s side 5-1. But there is no indication that Bournemouth’s poor start will continue this term.
This is a side that qualified for Europe last term, and any threat of relegation will surely dissipate as the season goes on. Bournemouth are clearly listening to Scott, who is keen on a move to Xabi Alonso’s side.
Reports say he is excited at the prospect of playing alongside England teammates Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer daily. It is unclear if Chelsea are willing to pay £100m, though they have the cash.
Not simply because of the £125m sale of Fernandez, but also because of the £50m+ deals for Liam Delap, Nico Jackson, Marc Cucurella and Andrey Santos. January is a possibility, but only if their form improves.