Chelsea given Alex Scott transfer boost amid Arsenal and Man Utd battle

Chelsea have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Bournemouth’s Alex Scott with the midfielder keen on making the switch to Stamford Bridge this summer

Alex Scott is keen on a move to Chelsea after Blues saw a £64million bid rejected for the Bournemouth midfielder.

The 22-year-old, who impressed for the Cherries last season, has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham, this summer.

But Scott wants to join Chelsea, according to the Standard, and has no plans to sign a contract extension at Bournemouth. The ex-Bristol City man has two years left on his current deal at the Vitality Stadium.

While Scott is determined to seal a summer move to Chelsea, it’s added that Bournemouth insist he is not for sale and are confident they can convince him to sign a new contract. The Cherries first offered Scott a new deal in March but talks have since slowed as the Guernsey-born midfielder is keen to move on.

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Scott started all-but three Premier League matches for the Cherries last season. He helped the club finish sixth in the top flight and secure qualification for the Europa League.

Alongside that, Scott earned his first England senior call-up last November, though he didn’t make an appearance. He was drafted as one of five players – alongside Rio Ngumoha, Jason Steele, Josh King and Ethan Nwaneri – that would join the Three Lions squad for the preparation camp before the World Cup.

Chelsea, meanwhile, kept a close eye on Scott and his progress throughout last season. And with the centre of midfield an area that Xabi Alonso wants to improve, the Blues have accelerated their interest in Scott. A £64m offer has been lodged by Chelsea, though Bournemouth were quick to rebuff the bid.

Before the bid for Scott, Alonso wanted a reunion with Granit Xhaka and Chelsea made an £8m offer to Sunderland for the 33-year-old midfielder last month, only for it to be dismissed swiftly.

The Blues initially received encouragement from the Switzerland international over moving to Stamford Bridge and a second bid was being considered, but Xhaka then reaffirmed his commitment to the Black Cats and the west Londoners left negotiations.

Chelsea also hold a long-term interest in Adam Wharton, sources say, with the Crystal Palace midfielder facing an uncertain future at Selhurst Park. The Blues have watched Wharton’s development closely at their London rivals over the last couple of seasons but in this central midfielder market – that has seen Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes cost almost £100m – the England international will not be cheap.