Chelsea continue to lead the transfer race for Bournemouth ace Alex Scott, who could be an ideal signing from the club's transfer policy perspective, according to reports.
Moises Caicedo's return from injury and Romeo Lavia's recent form have arguably made the need for a midfield reinforcement in January less desperate for the Blues. Additionally, Xabi Alonso also has Jordan Henderson, Valentin Barco, and the versatile Reece James as central midfield options.
However, after failing to secure a replacement for Enzo Fernandez late in the summer transfer window, a new midfielder is understandably high on Chelsea 's wish list.
Bournemouth star midfielder Scott, for whom Chelsea reportedly had two bids worth around £64 million turned down in the summer, is understood to top this list .
According to The Telegraph's Matt Law, there is confidence that Chelsea can get the deal done, possibly in January.
"Chelsea are at the front of the queue for him," Law told London Is Blue Podcast when speaking about Scott's transfer situation.
"Bournemouth might sell him in January. It will obviously take more to sign him in January than at the end of the season, but I think there's a very good chance that Chelsea will sign him."
Law added that Chelsea are "never scared" of spending big on transfer fees, but have been reluctant to agree to high wages under the current ownership.
This, he argued, makes Scott an even more attractive target for Chelsea.
"Scott will be on a relatively modest wage – certainly in comparison to what Chelsea pay their players, yet his transfer fee will be very high," the journalist explained.
"But transfer fees are rarely an issue for Chelsea. It becomes (an issue) when people want 300, 400 grand a week. So, I think they're in a really good spot for him."
Scott will enter the final 18 months of his contract with Bournemouth in January, likely putting the south-coast side under pressure to cash in on the player amid an impasse in contract talks.
That said, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley recently made it clear that they have not given up on tying their star player to a new deal despite transfer interest from top clubs.
Early expectations are that Chelsea would have to fork out more than £80m to be given serious consideration by Bournemouth. After securing a British-record £125m from Fernandez's sale to Manchester City , on paper, Chelsea should have the funds to meet Bournemouth's reported asking price.
If Scott were to sign for Chelsea, he would be expected to be offered an incentive-driven contract, like most of the players in the squad, including key players such as James, Joao Pedro, and Cole Palmer.
The midfielder has been on an injury absence for Bournemouth since the last international break, during which he sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty with England. He has featured six times in all competitions for the Cherries, providing a goal and an assist so far.
Scott mostly plays in a double-pivot midfield in a 4-2-3-1 system under Marco Rose this season, so he would have an easier time adapting if he were to join Chelsea, who also play two-man midfield systems.
