Chelsea plan ‘early’ Alex Scott deal to solve Enzo Fernandez issue

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Chelsea’s failure to secure a replacement for Enzo Fernandez has left Xabi Alonso’s side short in midfield.

That was made clear in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League loss to Arsenal, when Alonso elected to use right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto in the centre of the park over the course of the game.

It was a problem the Blues saw coming. Lamine Camara was supposed to sign from Monaco only for the Ligue 1 side to do a dramatic about-turn in a deal that also left Manu Kone stranded at Roma.

Alonso, meanwhile, is missing the injured Moises Caicedo and has yet to put his faith in Argentina international Valentin Barco, who arrived from Strasbourg in the summer and would appear to be a natural replacement for his compatriot.

Nevertheless, Chelsea are planning ahead and are already preparing the groundwork for a deal that will see them move for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott immediately, according to TeamTalk.

Current ETV

Alex Scott

M, DM (C)

B'mouth

Alex Scott

M, DM (C)

B'mouth

€47.3M

ETV Range

€35.5M - €59.1M

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Chelsea continue to chase Alex Scott

Scott was a target for the Blues as well as several other leading Premier League clubs in the transfer window that just closed.

Bournemouth, however, were not willing to sell the 23-year-old, who still has two years to run on his contract. There was a £60 million (€70m) bid made by the Stamford Bridge outfit, but this was knocked back, the Cherries having seen the likes of Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali move for upwards of £80m within the Premier League this summer.

The Blues, though, are aware that by putting pressure on the box-to-box player, they could potentially set themselves up for a deal. Certainly, by making their ongoing interest public knowledge, it will encourage Scott not to sign a new deal with the south coast side and therefore open the door to a transfer.

Agreement now, move next summer

Chelsea are actively considering a deal that will see them sign Scott immediately in a transfer that would be formally concluded in a year’s time.

The move would work with Bournemouth agreeing to sell their star man at the end of the season, but they would retain his full registration up to that point.

Such moves are not unheard of yet have typically been reserved for young, foreign talents who are not allowed to move to the UK until they are 18. Chelsea’s move for Kendry Paez would be one such example.

The Stamford Bridge side are willing to go down this route with Scott because they believe he is “perfect” for Alonso’s midfield.

For Bournemouth, this would be an attractive proposition. It gives them the opportunity to force Chelsea to pay a premium on Scott that they may not get in 12 months, when the England international is just a year from the end of his contract.

Such a move, however, promises to be complicated, but with no transfer deadline forcing their hand, the clubs can take their time to strike a deal.