Chelsea visit the south coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
Liam Rosenior is under immense pressure with his side having won just one of their last eight matches in the competition, failing to score in any of their last four games.
That run of form has left the Blues seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool in the top flight table, and on course to miss out on qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Ahead of their visit to The Amex, it has emerged that Chelsea are set to battle it out with one of their fiercest rivals in the battle to sign an English midfielder.
According to CaughtOffside, both Chelsea and Manchester United are monitoring Bournemouth star Alex Scott.
The report claims that both the Blues and the Red Devils have identified Scott, 22, as a possible transfer target ahead of this summer’s window.
Scott is enjoying a fine campaign with Bournemouth (Photo: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy)
The young midfielder joined the Cherries from Championship side Bristol City in 2023 and has now played 85 times for the south coast side across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing five assists.
Arguably Scott’s finest moment in a Bournemouth shirt so far came earlier this month, when he netted the winner against league leaders Arsenal at The Emirates.
Scott is contracted to the Cherries until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, but the report suggests that several top clubs are beginning to take note of his performances and keep track of the Englishman ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Man United are said to have added Scott to their shortlist as the search for potential replacements for veteran midfielder Casemiro, who will depart Ol Trafford at the end of the current campaign.
Bournemouth value the player highly, however, and it is claimed that bids in excess of £50 million would have to be tabled in order for the Cherries to entertain the idea of a deal, with the player’s price tag possibly rising to £65 million if several clubs register their interest.