Bournemouth have rejected Chelsea’s reported £64 million offer for Alex Scott, which landed on July 21, and value the 22-year-old midfielder at no less than £80 million, according to reports cited by The Times and talkSPORT. Scott’s contract runs until June 2028, and Chelsea are reportedly preparing an improved second bid worth around £70 million.
Neither club has officially confirmed the value of the offer or the details of negotiations, so the situation remains subject to transfer reporting rather than a completed deal. Bournemouth’s reported valuation, more than triple the £25 million they paid Bristol City for Scott in 2023, nevertheless underlines his importance ahead of a season in which the club will play in the Europa League for the first time.
Why the reported valuation matters
The difference between Chelsea’s reported bids and Bournemouth’s £80 million threshold is substantial. Bournemouth’s position reflects both Scott’s role in the side and the difficulty of replacing a regular midfielder before a campaign that includes Premier League, European and cup commitments.
Scott’s reputation among elite coaches partly explains why clubs are willing to pay such a premium. Pep Guardiola has previously described him as an “unbelievable player,” and Thomas Tuchel is also said to rate his qualities highly, endorsements that carry weight for a player who has yet to become an established senior England international.
The reported price does not necessarily mean Scott has been placed on the market. Bournemouth’s valuation can also be read as an indication that any sale would have to meet terms the club consider financially and competitively justified.
Bournemouth hold the leverage
Bournemouth are not facing an immediate risk of losing Scott for free, with his current contract running until 30 June 2028. The club finished sixth in the Premier League in 2025/26, their best league finish, and secured qualification for the Europa League.
Scott was a regular in Bournemouth’s midfield during that campaign. According to Opta Analyst data cited in the available reporting, he appeared in 37 of 38 league matches, started 34 times and played 2,861 minutes. Since joining from Bristol City, where he was named Championship Young Player of the Season, he has made 89 appearances for Bournemouth in total, scoring six goals. His ability to operate in several midfield positions adds to his value as Bournemouth prepare for a heavier schedule.
There’s also a broader financial picture at play. Bournemouth have already sold Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez in recent windows, and with forward Eli Junior Kroupi currently injured, there’s little appetite inside the club to lose another key player this summer regardless of the fee on offer.
The club are also entering a new managerial era. Andoni Iraola left at the end of last season, and Premier League records state that Marco Rose took charge on 1 July. Rose currently has Scott with the squad at a pre-season training camp in Austria, a sign he remains fully involved despite the transfer noise. Retaining key players could help Bournemouth manage that transition while maintaining continuity after their historic finish.
Scott’s contract situation
Scott has reportedly rejected a proposed new contract, although his existing agreement still has two seasons remaining. As outlined in this earlier report on the contract delay, that leaves Bournemouth with time to assess their options while also creating longer-term uncertainty if no extension is agreed.
Rejecting an extension is not the same as making a formal transfer request. It has not been officially confirmed whether Scott has asked to leave, and the reasons for the reported contract impasse are unknown. Bournemouth could still seek an agreement that protects the player’s value while keeping him at the club.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Others Linked
The Times has linked Manchester United and Arsenal with Scott, while Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City have all been included among the wider group of clubs associated with the midfielder in British media reports. There is no official confirmation that any of these clubs have submitted formal offers.
The distinction between monitoring a player, making an enquiry and submitting a bid remains important. On the available reporting, Chelsea’s efforts are the most concrete development, but Bournemouth have not indicated that they will lower their reported £80 million valuation.
Where The Alex Scott Situation Stands Now
Bournemouth’s reported rejection of Chelsea’s £64 million offer leaves the clubs apart on valuation, even with an improved £70 million bid reportedly being prepared. Scott remains under contract until 2028 and is an important part of a Bournemouth side preparing for its first Europa League campaign. Any further Chelsea move remains a matter of transfer reporting, while Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool have not had formal bids confirmed.
