Chelsea have seen an offer for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott rejected with the Cherries expecting him to stay at the club this summer.
Scott is among the most sought-after midfield players in the summer transfer window with Arsenal and Manchester United also interested in the England international.
The former Bristol City youngster was instrumental in Bournemouth’s sixth place finish last season with his current contract at the Vitality Stadiums set to expire in 2028.
The club have sought to tie him down to a new deal but Scott has rejected their offer.
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While there is a queue of clubs eager to sign him, Chelsea have moved first with The Times reporting Bournemouth have rejected their offer, thought to be worth £64million.
News of the offer from Stamford Bridge came just as the club were confirming the signing of Morgan Rogers, beating Arsenal to the England international who joins from Aston Villa in a record-breaking £117million move.
Bournemouth are desperate to retain Scott’s services and value him at £80million.
United have signed two midfielders this summer with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans joining from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.
The club want a third midfielder but have already demonstrated they are ready to walk away from targets this summer if the price is not right.
Arsenal are also admirers of Scott with Mikel Arteta eager to strengthen his squad after last season’s Premier League title success.
The Gunners made Rogers their top summer target but were reluctant to meet the huge fee Villa pushed for.
Arteta does have Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard at his disposal in central midfield but all three felt the effects of a demanding campaign last season with Rice in particular still playing through an injury he has been carrying since the turn of the year.
Christian Norgaard is expected to move on after just one season in north London with Arsenal also interested in Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.