Liverpool monitoring Alex Scott as Chelsea step up January move
Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, though the current expectation is that Chelsea have moved into a stronger position in the race for the 23-year-old. According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are growing increasingly confident about securing Scott in January after making him a leading midfield priority.
That pursuit has developed after Enzo Fernandez’s summer departure to Manchester City, with Chelsea having already tested Bournemouth’s resolve through a series of bids. One of those offers reached £64m, yet Bournemouth stood firm. Their stance now appears even tougher, with any winter sale likely to require more than £100m.
For Liverpool, the interest is genuine, but there is less immediate pressure to act in January. That context matters. Andoni Iraola knows Scott well from their previous time together at Bournemouth, so there is a strong understanding of the player’s qualities and suitability. Even so, Liverpool’s recruitment team appear to be weighing the broader midfield market rather than pushing all-in on one name at this stage.
Chelsea increasingly confident of signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in January.
Scott is Chelsea’s top target after Enzo Fernandez’s left for Manchester City on deadline day over the summer.
Bournemouth want £100m+ and Xabi Alonso’s side are already in fresh talks… pic.twitter.com/bdFxNaXvAa
Alex Scott price sets tone for January market
Bournemouth’s valuation is shaping the conversation. Earlier assessments around £80m were already substantial, yet the current threshold is reported to be above £100m for a January deal. That figure alone makes any move difficult, even for clubs with strong interest.
Chelsea are still in active dialogue and seem prepared to keep working at the deal. Liverpool’s position feels more measured, which fits with the wider picture around their squad planning. Scott is admired, but he is not the only option under consideration.
Lamine Camara and Manu Kone remain in Liverpool thinking
Two other midfielders are firmly on Liverpool’s radar, Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Roma’s Manu Kone. Camara came close to joining Chelsea on deadline day for €55m, which is about £47m, before Monaco pulled out after the window had closed. Since then, Liverpool have reportedly indicated that if he remained in place, he would stay high on their list for 2027. Monaco’s valuation has since climbed to around £60m.
Kone is another player liked inside the club’s recruitment structure. He stayed at Roma amid varying accounts over Chelsea’s level of interest in the summer, and he continues to be viewed as a credible option in the market.
Midfield strategy linked to Alexis Mac Allister plan
Liverpool’s continuing work on midfield targets also reflects the situation around Alexis Mac Allister. As it stands, the club are not expected to offer him a new contract, and there is a clear indication that at least one midfielder will be targeted in 2027.
That helps explain why Liverpool are surveying several profiles rather than committing too early. Scott remains one to watch, particularly because of Iraola’s familiarity with him, but Chelsea currently look to have greater urgency and momentum. Unless Bournemouth soften their terms, any move for Alex Scott will require a major financial decision.
Our View
Alex Scott feels like exactly the sort of player Liverpool should be serious about. He is young, Premier League-proven, technically sharp and already familiar to Andoni Iraola. That last point should not be overlooked. If the head coach knows how to use him and trusts his character, that can remove a lot of the risk that comes with a big transfer.
The problem, clearly, is the price. More than £100m in January is enormous, and it would be understandable if Liverpool refused to be dragged into that kind of auction. There is a difference between being ambitious and being reckless. If Chelsea want to force the market that high, Liverpool may be right to stay disciplined.
Still, the report is encouraging because it shows the club are actively planning the next phase of the midfield. Lamine Camara and Manu Kone are serious alternatives, and it is good to see multiple options being explored rather than one desperate chase. That suggests a recruitment process with structure behind it.
If Alexis Mac Allister’s long-term future remains uncertain, then midfield investment becomes even more important. The hope is that Liverpool move decisively when the right opening appears. Whether that is Scott, Camara or Kone, the key is adding quality that fits Iraola’s football and keeps the team evolving.
