Chelsea have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after the Cherries reduced their asking price for the 22-year-old. The Blues are working on multiple summer deals as Xabi Alonso prepares to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's summer transfer activity
Italy international Marco Palestra is set to become Alonso's first signing after Chelsea agreed a £51m deal with Atalanta for the right-back. Chelsea identified Palestra as a top target as they are open to offers for Malo Gusto and braced for an approach from Manchester City, who appointed ex-Stamford Bridge boss Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola's replacement.
On the left side of defence, Marc Cucurella has secured his desired move to Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. Trevoh Chalobah could follow Cucurella out of Chelsea amid interest from Cesc Fabregas' Como, with Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix lined up as an upgrade.
Midfield targets and Enzo Fernandez situation
Chelsea have been linked with several midfielders as Enzo Fernandez, valued at £120m, continues to push for a move away. England World Cup star Morgan Rogers has been considered by the west London club, who have now entered the race to sign Scott.
Scott enjoyed another impressive season on the south coast, playing all but one of Bournemouth's league games as they finished sixth, qualifying for Europe. Manchester United have identified Scott as a possible target to bolster Michael Carrick's midfield following Casemiro's exit and Manuel Ugarte's horror injury. Premier League champions Arsenal are also admirers of Scott as they look to strengthen Mikel Arteta's title-winning midfield.
Reduced asking price and frontrunners
According to talkSPORT, Chelsea intend to rival Manchester United and Arsenal for Scott, just days after it was reported that Bournemouth had reduced their asking price. The Cherries were believed to be demanding at least £80m earlier in the summer, but the Daily Mail says a figure of around £60m is now possible. It has also been reported that while Tottenham are also fans of Scott, Manchester United and Arsenal are the two 'frontrunners' to secure his signature.
Scott was close to making England's World Cup squad but was ultimately overlooked by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel. Manchester City's imminent £116m deal for Elliot Anderson has reduced the options for clubs hoping to sign a top-class midfielder this summer.
Darren Bent's verdict
Ex-England striker Darren Bent recently urged Arsenal to win the race to sign Scott, claiming he could be better value than Anderson. 'Elliot Anderson for £120m or Alex Scott for £60m, I'm taking Alex Scott all day, every day. There's no way on the planet that Elliot Anderson is £60m better than Alex Scott, he's just not,' Bent told talkSPORT. 'I like Elliot Anderson, I think he's a top player but for that money, £120 million is crazy. He's been decent [at the World Cup] but not £120m. Alex Scott for £60m, I promise you now if I had the choice.'
In a separate show, Bent added: 'This is where transfer fees are crazy. Elliot Anderson is brilliant but I'm saying he's not £40m better than Alex Scott. If he comes to Arsenal, I'm just not sure where he plays because you've got [Martin] Zubimendi who is the holder, or [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, then you have [Declan] Rice as the No.8. You know what though, I'd take him at Arsenal because he'll get so many minutes. He's a top player and, you never know, he can force his way in. He has had a wonderful season but I always think it's that next level. Going to play for Arsenal or Manchester United, when you're in the Champions League and all these different various competitions, the expectation goes through the roof.'
