Chelsea are reportedly preparing to renew their interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as they anticipate the departure of Enzo Fernandez, who appears increasingly likely to complete a move to Manchester City before the transfer window closes.
According to reports, the Blues could return to Bournemouth with an improved offer for the 23-year-old, with suggestions that a bid in excess of £80million — potentially climbing closer to £90million — might be enough to force the south-coast club to reconsider their position. Bournemouth have so far been resolute in their stance, insisting that Scott is not for sale as they look to keep hold of one of their most promising young talents.
Scott enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Premier League last term, establishing himself as a key figure in Bournemouth's midfield and catching the eye of several top-flight clubs in the process. His development was further underlined when he trained alongside the England senior squad during their camp in Florida ahead of the World Cup, a clear sign of the growing recognition of his abilities on the international stage.
Chelsea are not the only Premier League side keeping tabs on the midfielder. Liverpool have also been credited with interest in Scott, though reports suggest the Reds are unlikely to move for him during this window given other priorities. With limited financial flexibility remaining, Liverpool are said to be focusing their resources elsewhere rather than reinforcing their midfield options at this stage.
The situation at Chelsea, meanwhile, continues to be shaped by the expected exit of Fernandez. The Argentina international has been strongly linked with a switch to Manchester City for some time, and while an informal deadline set by Chelsea nearly two weeks ago passed without City submitting a formal offer, the move could still be completed before Tuesday's deadline. Fernandez has been one of Chelsea's most prominent midfielders since his high-profile arrival, but the club appear prepared to sanction his departure if the right offer materializes, potentially using the funds generated to bolster other areas of the squad — including a renewed push for Scott.
Elsewhere in Chelsea's transfer dealings, the club remain engaged in discussions with Aston Villa over forward Nicolas Jackson. Villa are said to be actively seeking a new striker before the window shuts, and Jackson has emerged as one of their primary targets. Talks between the two clubs are ongoing, with Chelsea potentially open to sanctioning the Senegalese forward's exit as part of a broader restructuring of their attacking options.
With the transfer deadline fast approaching, Chelsea's business appears set to be defined by both departures and incomings. The club's willingness to meet Bournemouth's valuation for Scott will likely determine whether a deal can be struck before Tuesday, while the outcome of the Fernandez saga could have significant implications for how Chelsea approach the remainder of their business.
As things stand, all parties are working against the clock, with Manchester City yet to formalize their interest in Fernandez, Bournemouth maintaining their public resistance over Scott, and Aston Villa pushing to finalize a deal for Jackson. The coming days promise to be pivotal for Chelsea as they look to reshape their midfield and forward line before the window closes.
Based on reporting from The Independent.