Chelsea are leading the charge for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. The Londoners remain eager to sign the 23-year-old and are willing to postpone a deal until the summer of 2027 if his current club opts against a sale this winter.
As reported by The Telegraph, Chelsea currently sit ahead of other interested parties. The previous summer saw the club make several bids for Scott, all of which Bournemouth rejected. Xabi Alonso ultimately failed to find a suitable replacement for the departed Enzo Fernandez, who left for Manchester City.
Negotiations this winter are set to be challenging. Bournemouth are reluctant to part with one of their key players mid-season, but this hasn't deterred Chelsea: the club is prepared to revisit the matter in the summer.
By that point, Scott will have just a year remaining on his existing contract. Bournemouth hope to secure him to a new deal, but reports suggest the midfielder is unlikely to agree, particularly with top European clubs circling.
Besides Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are keeping tabs on the situation, with Real Madrid recently joining the list of contenders. Scott’s potential price tag could soar to €100 million, as Bournemouth aim to secure a record fee for the player.
Much of the attention on Scott stems from his impressive debut start for the England national team, where he played a crucial role in their 7-0 victory over Croatia under Thomas Tuchel.
After the match, Tuchel commented:
This was his first start — and what a beginning it was. What a performance.
He’s incredibly good on the ball right now, making decisions at the highest level and playing with enormous confidence. He’s very active, self-assured, and if you add his off-the-ball work, he’s got the complete package.
Together with Elliot, he gave us great movement, variety, and a huge work rate in midfield.
Scott has made 95 appearances for Bournemouth, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists. Chelsea remain the frontrunners for the Englishman, but if Bournemouth holds firm this winter, the real battle for the midfielder could unfold next summer.
