Chelsea step up pursuit of £60m Premier League star as seven-club tug-of-war begins

Xabi Alonso and Chelsea have stepped up their interest in a highly rated Premier League midfielder, while six of their rivals are also keen on the player.

Despite the transfer window not opening until June 15, the rumour mill is already in full swing, with clubs looking ahead to the summer.

Among the sides attempting to improve after a torrid 2025/26 season are Chelsea, with the Blues having sacked both Enzo Maresca and his replacement, Liam Rosenior, after finishing tenth in the league on 52 points.

Former Liverpool midfielder and Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid head coach Alonso has been tasked with guiding the Blues back up the table. The Spaniard is set to welcome Portuguese right winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP, as well as Brazilian left-back Denner, with both players having already agreed moves to Stamford Bridge before the new manager’s arrival.

Several players are expected to leave Chelsea this summer, while others could arrive in west London.

One potential arrival is Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott.

According to TeamTalk, the Englishman is attracting interest from seven Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham — who Scott reportedly supports — Liverpool, Aston Villa and Newcastle United, while Manchester United and Chelsea remain the frontrunners to secure his signature this summer.

The Cherries are keen for the 22-year-old to remain at the club and are planning to offer him a new contract after he helped Bournemouth qualify for the Europa League for the first time in their history, contributing four goals and one assist last term.

However, Bournemouth reportedly value the player at around £60 million and are unlikely to accept offers below that figure.

Scott, who joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023, was called up to Thomas Tuchel’s provisional 55-man World Cup squad, although he did not make the final 26-man selection.

Chelsea are also said to have intensified their pursuit in recent days and are carrying out extensive background checks on the player, while United view the No. 8 as a potential midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo following Casemiro’s expected departure from Old Trafford.

Thomas Tuchel’s verdict on Alex Scott

Scott, alongside Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, Fulham’s Josh King and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, will provide support for the England squad during their Miami-based World Cup training camp.

Speaking about the decision last week, Tuchel was quick to praise Scott.

“We will take some young players who will train with us to make up the numbers we need in the squad, and we have the two friendly matches to manage the players’ minutes and workload,” he said.

“I’m happy to have these players, especially Alex, who was on the long list of 55 players for the 26-man World Cup squad. Obviously, he didn’t make the first cut, but his reaction was outstanding, and his commitment and desire to be involved in the pre-camp and take a step closer to the team was never in question.

“That showed me his character, and I’m delighted he’ll be with us because it was a close call. He now gets a chance to take another step closer and earn a cap.”