Arsenal and Chelsea Target Bournemouth's Alex Scott

Arsenal and Chelsea are circling the same midfielder, and Bournemouth are right in the middle of a brewing transfer storm.

Arsenal have mapped out an ambitious end to their summer window. The London club are pushing for what would be a statement triple swoop: Bruno Guimaraes for the heart of midfield, Vinicius Jr out wide, and Julian Alvarez in attack. It is the kind of wishlist that screams title intent.

At the centre of it all sits Guimaraes. The 28-year-old is Arsenal’s first-choice target in midfield, and personal terms are already understood to be in place. Arsenal have tested the water with Newcastle, but their initial moves have gone nowhere. Informal offers of £55 million and £65 million were dismissed out of hand by the Magpies, who know exactly how valuable their playmaker is.

Now Arsenal are readying an official bid of around £70 million. It is a serious offer, but Newcastle are expected to hold firm. If they do, Arsenal’s plan pivots.

Arsenal’s fallback: Alex Scott

CaughtOffside report that Arsenal have already made their decision on who comes next on the list. If Guimaraes proves unattainable, they will turn to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.

Internally, the call has been made: Scott is the alternative. At 22, he offers a different profile to Guimaraes but fits the same idea – a technically gifted, high-ceiling midfielder who can grow with a squad built to compete for years.

There is a problem, though. Chelsea are already at the door.

Chelsea raise the stakes

Chelsea have moved first. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that the club remain very interested in Scott and are weighing up a second bid after seeing their opening offer knocked back.

Chelsea’s first proposal, worth £64 million, was rejected by Bournemouth. The south coast club are determined to keep the midfielder as they prepare for a historic season, their first ever European campaign. They want Scott at the centre of it.

Interest in the player is hardly surprising. Pep Guardiola has previously labelled Scott an “unbelievable player”, while Thomas Tuchel is also known to rate him highly. That kind of endorsement travels quickly around Europe’s elite.

Bournemouth, though, are digging in. They do not want to sell, even though Scott has already turned down the chance to sign a new and improved contract. The club are adamant: he is not for sale, and they want him tied down on fresh terms before the season truly bites.

Bournemouth’s resolve under pressure

Every club has a breaking point. For Bournemouth, that figure appears to be around £80 million. Prior reports suggest that is the internal valuation of Scott. A bid in that region – or close to it – would test just how unshakeable their stance really is.

Chelsea must now decide how far they are willing to go. Raise the offer towards that £80 million mark and Bournemouth will have a real decision to make: cash in on a prized asset before their European adventure begins, or gamble on keeping an unsettled player and rejecting the kind of money that rarely comes their way.

There is another twist. The Evening Standard report that Scott is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge. According to their information, he wants the Chelsea switch after the Blues’ £64 million bid was turned down. Bournemouth, however, continue to insist he is not for sale and are still pushing to secure him on a new contract.

So the picture is clear. Arsenal have identified Scott as the man to move for if Newcastle shut the door on Guimaraes. Chelsea have already tried once and are considering going again. Bournemouth are trying to stand tall, with European football on the horizon and a young star who wants to take the next step.

The next bid – and who makes it – will tell us everything about how this tug of war ends.