Chelsea Target Alex Scott for Rp1.5 Trillion, Bournemouth Hold Firm Until Summer

Chelsea's management is reportedly seriously preparing concrete steps to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott in the upcoming January transfer window. The potential deal is estimated to cost around £77 million—a figure equivalent to Rp1.5 trillion—as The Blues look to fill the gap left by Enzo Fernandez.

According to a Caught Offside report, internal discussions at the board level of the west London club have produced an agreement to pursue Scott, despite other options such as Georginio Wijnaldum. The cited source says decision-makers unanimously prefer to wait until January, with Scott and Adam Wharton as the main targets. However, there are strong signals that Bournemouth will not soften in the winter and will choose to keep their player until the summer, when his contract has one year remaining.

Chelsea's need for a defensive midfielder has come into focus after the £125 million sale of Fernandez to Real Madrid at the end of last summer's transfer window. Club legend John Obi Mikel sees Fernandez's departure as the root of the team's inconsistency. "We knew Enzo wanted to leave, but we failed to bring in a replacement. That is why we are suffering right now," he said, stressing the importance of two defensive midfielders to protect the back line.

Alex Scott, 23, has become a key pillar under Marco Rose. His impressive performances last season even led journalist James Lewer to argue he deserved a place in the World Cup squad alongside Adam Wharton. Although he did not make the 26-man squad, Scott was still taken to the United States as part of England's preparation squad. "A sensational season for Bournemouth," Lewer wrote on his X account.

For Chelsea, signing Scott is not merely about adding squad depth. The failure to replace Fernandez has left the midfield without balance, and pressure on the back line has increased. Coach Xabi Alonso is said to have ample funds, but the hunt for a quality defensive midfielder in the January market is always difficult because clubs are reluctant to let key players go mid-season.

From an Indonesian perspective, this transfer saga reflects how Premier League clubs manage their finances carefully. The £77 million price for a 23-year-old shows value inflation in the defensive midfielder market, which could serve as a reference for Asian clubs in assessing young players. In addition, Chelsea's failure to replace Fernandez is a lesson on the importance of succession planning in midfield, something big clubs often overlook.

If Chelsea fail to sign Scott in January, they risk losing momentum in the race for a Champions League ticket. Conversely, Bournemouth, who have been solid this season, have a chance to keep their key player until the end of the season, before facing major pressure in the next transfer window. Will Chelsea raise their offer to reach £77 million, or instead shift their sights to another target such as Wharton? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: Chelsea's midfield must be fixed immediately if they want to compete at the top again.