Chelsea now planning move for £78m Camara alternative, he’s a top target

Chelsea could make a move for AFC Bournemouth star Alex Scott next year, after missing out on AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara on deadline day.

After such a positive summer and start to the Premier League season for the Blues, it was a difficult end to the window, as they were unable to bring in a replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who was sold to Manchester City in a £125m deal.

Xabi Alonso had been expecting to welcome Camara, as a £47m deal had been agreed with Monaco, but a deal broke down in extraordinary fashion, with the French side opting to sell Folarin Balogun to Everton instead.

However, with Balogun ultimately deciding not to join the Toffees, Monaco didn’t sell either player before the transfer deadline, and Alonso has been left a little short in the middle of the park.

That said, while it is tough to take right now, things could work out well in the long run, as the Camara deal breaking down could lead to the arrival of Scott in 2027, with the Bournemouth star regarded as the west Londoners’ top target in midfield.

The Englishman, who has been valued at £78m, is already proven in the Premier League, unlike Camara, featuring in 37 of the Cherries’ 38 matches last season, during which time he averaged 12.2 defensive contributions per 90, the highest number in the squad.

The former Bristol City man has also been lauded as “sensational” by football content creator Benjamin Bloom, and it’s not only media members who rave about him – just ask Pep Guardiola.

At just 23-years-old, he is at the right age to be an exciting long-term addition to Alonso’s squad.

Chelsea identify Alex Scott as “huge” 2027 target

Reuters/John Sibley

Speaking prior to Tuesday’s 11pm transfer deadline, reporter Ben Jacobs suggested Scott is going to be a key target for Chelsea next year, while also revealing they considered moves for three other Premier League midfielders.

Jacobs said: “There were other names like Morgan Gibbs White, kind of a dream target, but there was never any chance of that getting done. Lucas Bergvall was discussed as well, Martin Zubimendi, but Arsenal didn’t add, so they didn’t need any outgoings, and that’s why there was never a chance of getting Zubimendi either.

“So Chelsea have kind of resigned themselves, barring any late surprises, which of course are always possible in these final hours of the window.

“But as of now, Chelsea’s feeling is they’ve actually brought in this summer a British record of their own, over £500million in incomings, and if they can’t do anything, they don’t now. And the expectations are that’s the direction of travel. They will plan for January onwards, and I suspect that in 2027, Alex Scott will form a huge part of their thinking.”

The central midfielder’s Bournemouth contract is set to expire in 2028, and he has thus far shown no desire to commit to a new deal, which means next summer may be the Cherries’ final opportunity to cash-in for a major fee.