Bournemouth soften Alex Scott stance as Chelsea learn two conditions that will clinch January deal
Bournemouth have been desperate to keep hold of England midfielder Alex Scott, but there is now a realisation at The Vitality that Scott will depart with Chelsea leading the race for Scott’s signature.
Chelsea failed to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez at the end of the summer window, and despite the form of Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo’s return, the Blues are expected to sign a midfielder.
Lamine Camara, Manu Kone and plenty of others continue to be linked with Chelsea. However, since the window closed, no player has been linked more with Chelsea than Scott. The Blues are leading the way.
Bournemouth soften Scott stance ahead of January window
Charlie Austin described Scott as the perfect replacement for Fernandez just this week. But it is believed that Scott could cost £100m, with some reports suggesting he may sign a new deal with an exit clause.
However, The Times have now reported Bournemouth’s current stance, and that they are willing to sell Scott in January – softening their original position. Talks over a new deal have been rejected by Scott.
Indeed, neither party has sat down at the negotiating table since April. The Times’ report on Wednesday morning claims that two conditions will have to be met for Bournemouth to consider selling in January.
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The first is that Chelsea will have to increase their £64m summer bid by almost half. The Cherries want £100m for Scott, whose stock is on the rise despite suffering an injury during his first England start.
The second condition – and this is out of Chelsea’s power after their 5-1 hammering of Bournemouth on Saturday – is that the Cherries want to be safely above a relegation fight in January if they are to sell.
If Bournemouth are in the middle of a dogfight – with Marco Rose yet to pick up his first Premier League win since replacing Andoni Iraola – then the Cherries may delay Scott’s sale until the summer window.
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Chelsea then might have shot themselves in the foot in terms of getting a deal over the line for Scott, by smashing Rose’s side 5-1. But there is no indication that Bournemouth’s poor start will continue this term.
This is a side that qualified for Europe last term, and any threat of relegation will surely dissipate as the season goes on. Bournemouth are clearly listening to Scott, who is keen on a move to Xabi Alonso’s side.
Reports say he is excited at the prospect of playing alongside England teammates Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer daily. It is unclear if Chelsea are willing to pay £100m, though they have the cash.
Not simply because of the £125m sale of Fernandez, but also because of the £50m+ deals for Liam Delap, Nico Jackson, Marc Cucurella and Andrey Santos. January is a possibility, but only if their form improves.
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