Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, while the Reds are also competing with European giants for Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch ahead of the January transfer window.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is settling into his role at Anfield after a difficult start, with the club now fifth in the Premier League following two wins in their last three matches. They host Brighton on Sunday.
Scott pursuit falters
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are in talks with Scott's representatives over a move to Stamford Bridge. The Bournemouth playmaker has been tipped as a Liverpool target as the club turns its attention to midfield, an area that was not a priority during the summer.
TEAMtalk reported Bournemouth would be willing to sell Scott for £100 million after previously insisting he was not for sale. That stance appears to have changed after Scott rejected a contract offer that would have made him the highest-paid player in the club's history. With just over 18 months remaining on his current deal, Bournemouth are under pressure to secure a suitable fee.
Jeltsch on the radar
Liverpool are also reportedly rivalling Barcelona and Real Madrid for 20-year-old Stuttgart centre-back Finn Jeltsch. The defender, who joined Stuttgart from Nurnberg last year, received his first senior Germany call-up under former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Catalan newspaper Sport reported that Real Madrid and Liverpool are prepared to pay £42 million for Jeltsch, a significant increase on the £7 million Stuttgart paid for him in February 2025. Barcelona and Juventus are also said to be tracking the player, with Hansi Flick reportedly leading the charge at Barca after signing Karim Adeyemi last summer.
Liverpool have already recruited young defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni to eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk, whose contract expires next summer. Joe Gomez's deal is also due to run out at the end of the season, increasing the need for reinforcements in that position.
