Chelsea are weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga after Bournemouth turned down three bids for Alex Scott, the most recent worth £68m.
Scott pursuit hits dead end
Bournemouth rejected all three offers for Scott, informing Chelsea that the 23-year-old would not be sold before the transfer deadline. The Blues had previously made a £62m bid for the midfielder last month, according to The i Paper, with the two subsequent offers culminating in the £68m figure.
Scott has attracted interest from several top Premier League clubs this summer following another strong season at Bournemouth.
Camavinga among alternatives
Scott is just one of several midfielders on Chelsea's watchlist, according to talkSPORT, alongside Camavinga, Adam Wharton and Manu Kone. Camavinga has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid since Jose Mourinho's arrival at the Bernabeu, with Manchester United having shown interest before they signed Carlos Baleba from Brighton.
Wharton and Kone are also of interest to a number of clubs after their performances for Crystal Palace and Roma respectively.
Fernandez future uncertain
Xabi Alonso has identified Scott as his top target to replace Enzo Fernandez if the Argentine leaves Stamford Bridge in the final week of the summer transfer window. Fernandez made clear at the start of the summer that he wanted to leave west London, but a move to Real Madrid fell through.
The 25-year-old, who was sent off in Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain, could still move on amid interest from Manchester City and his former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Man City are set to spend £86m on Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, but that deal has not deterred them from pursuing Fernandez. Maresca wants another midfielder after losing Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, who joined Barcelona in a deal worth £65m.
Chelsea are not actively looking to sell Fernandez and have told interested clubs he is valued at £120m. However, the Blues have been making contingency plans in case Fernandez secures a late summer move.
Fernandez came on as a second-half substitute in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday night. The Blues won a five-goal thriller, with Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer scoring in Alonso's first Premier League game in charge. Chelsea face League One side Luton Town in the EFL Cup on Thursday before returning to Premier League action against Brighton on Sunday.
