Chelsea spent big in the summer transfer window but are expected to continue to do so in the upcoming transfer windows
Xabi Alonso
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Chelsea have been told Alex Scott will likely cost £100million if they wish to sign the talented midfielder from Bournemouth.
The 23-year-old has been on the Blues' radar for some time now and they even had a £64million bid for the Cherries star rejected in the summer. Chelsea are expected to make another move in the January transfer window, it's understood, with sources close to the situation insisting Bournemouth's stance has softened somewhat.
football.london understands that the Cherries would consider selling Scott in January if they were to receive an offer in the region of £100m. It is also dependant on Bournemouth's position in the Premier League table - if they are fighting relegation, with Marco Rose's side having a tricky start, they are less inclined to do business.
It looks like Scott is destined for the top, whatever happens, and former Norwich and Derby striker Chris Martin has backed the Englishman to move on in the near future. Speaking to Lyllo Casino, Martin said: "It looks like Alex Scott will be the next £100m player.
"I don't think Bournemouth are capable of keeping hold of him, it looks like he's outgrown them at this stage, which is a credit to them for producing and developing top players. They're probably cursing that they have to continue selling, but the money they're getting is difficult to turn down.
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"Alex is a top talent who has been linked with all the top clubs, and why not? He showed his pedigree in his recent performance for England during the international break. He's more than capable of doing it at a top side, so it'll be interesting to see who fancies him and where he wants to go.
"He's very level-headed, a real nice kid, and didn't have an ego so you wish him every success. It'll be interesting to see who he picks, but I wouldn't be surprised if he has a choice of three or four top clubs."
Alex Scott celebrates
Alex Scott could get his move in January(Image: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Scott's contract at the Vitality Stadium runs until June 2028 and Bournemouth have tried to extend his stay. However, the Englishman has rejected multiple contract offers from his employers, with the midfielder aware of interest from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, the latter managed by former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Earlier this month, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley promised Bournemouth supporters that the club are working to try and keep hold of Scott. In an interview with talkSPORT, Foley said: "At this point, we're convinced we're the right place for Alex to be and to stay, and we'll keep on addressing the contract issues with Alex as we move through this year. We'd love to have Alex stay here and sign a new contract and be part of this team for the long haul.
"We haven't given up, but sometimes players get stars in their eyes, and they think that Chelsea or Manchester City is the right place to go. We believe, if we keep on buying infrastructure and a common thread of leadership across the team then we will start keeping more and more players.
"People will be surprised about that, and they'll be able to earn substantial wages here. We have to respect the fact that a lot of our players are younger, and they've come to Bournemouth with the expectation that they'll get time to play and perhaps move on to a bigger team."
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