Chelsea could secure the signing of Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott for about £90 million, rather than the £100m fee the Cherries had reportedly been seeking.
The England international has also been linked with Liverpool, but the latest indications are that their interest may not be as strong as previously suggested. That could leave Chelsea in a stronger position to negotiate a deal without facing a bidding war.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Alex Scott gathers pace
Scott, 23, is regarded as the type of midfielder capable of strengthening a leading club, and Chelsea are understood to have a greater need in that area than Liverpool.
Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City at the end of the summer, leaving limited time to find a replacement. The reported £125m fee for Fernandez could give the club significant scope to reinforce their squad when the transfer window reopens.
A £90m move for Scott would leave Chelsea with around £35m from that fee to consider additions in other areas. The Bournemouth midfielder had appeared likely to leave during the summer, but the club maintained that he was not for sale.
Adam Wharton is another midfielder admired by Chelsea, although the latest developments point towards Scott becoming the more likely target.
Scott previously worked under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, and a move to Liverpool would have reunited the pair. For now, however, Chelsea appear to be better placed to pursue the deal.
