Arsenal squad vs Liverpool
Arsenal squad vs Liverpool
Chelsea's January plans are gathering pace, with fresh transfer reports pointing towards another busy spell at Stamford Bridge.
Midfield remains firmly on the agenda for Xabi Alonso, and Alex Scott continues to feature prominently in the discussion. In fact, ever since Enzo Fernández left for Man City in the summer, Chelsea have been weighing up how to replace his influence.
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Reports on Sunday suggested that Chelsea have put Scott ahead of Lamine Camara as they consider their next move.
That would mean changing course after the Monaco midfielder came desperately close to joining in the summer, with agreements having been reached before Monaco pulled the plug, leaving Chelsea to look elsewhere.
Scott is familiar territory too.
Bournemouth rejected Chelsea's attempts to sign him during the previous window, but the Blues have kept him in their sights.
Getting him out of the Vitality Stadium still promises to be a serious undertaking. Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has spoken about his wish to secure a new contract for the England midfielder, whose existing agreement runs until 2028.
Chelsea may fancy their chances, but Bournemouth have an asset worth protecting and plenty of reason to demand a deal that suits them.
There are questions at the back as well.
For Alonso, any transfer business has to improve the options available to him, and there is little value in adding another name without knowing where that player fits.
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That helps explain why Chelsea's midfield search is attracting so much attention.
Scott is the headline target, but the club are also being linked with players who could offer different options for the future.
Chelsea have already spoken to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s agents, says insider
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One of them is Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Chelsea insider Simon Phillips claiming the Blues have already spoken to people representing him.
The journalist says their interest also stretches back across previous transfer windows.
Phillips has also named Everton's Harrison Armstrong, Fulham's Josh King and Newcastle's Lewis Miley among the midfielders Chelsea are watching.
Lewis-Skelly would bring useful versatility, having played at left back and in midfield, and he has also experienced a Premier League title win and a Champions League final with Arsenal.
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Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Persuading the Gunners to let him cross London is another matter, with Sky Sports reporting in August that Arsenal were reluctant to strengthen a local rival by selling him.
Phillips' comments show Chelsea have done more than simply watch from afar, but whether that previous agent contact develops into a serious January pursuit remains the question.