ONE TOUCH INSIGHT
Chelsea’s midfield pursuit is less about glamour and more about grounding the side in young English talent. The club has named Alex Scott of Bournemouth and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace as its primary targets, both 22‑23 years old and playing in the Premier League. By contrast, Chelsea have withdrawn interest in Monaco’s Lamine Camara, a 22‑year‑old Senegalese midfielder who was previously linked.
This shift shows Chelsea are favoring players who are already in the Premier League rather than looking overseas for midfield reinforcement. It also fits the club’s recent pattern of giving minutes to home‑grown and academy‑produced players.
Agreeing a fee with Bournemouth for Scott will be the first real indicator of whether Chelsea’s midfield rebuild can proceed as intended.
Julian Alvarez
ST
Argentina
Barcelona have ruled out signing Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid in January, with the 24-year-old waiting to see whether Paris St-Germain or Arsenal make a bid for him, or whether he should stay put. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Liverpool will not countenance selling Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz, 23, to Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, while the German giants would only consider making a move next summer if France winger Michael Olise, 24, turns down a new deal. (Christian Falk - Bayern Insider/Bild), external
Bournemouth's Alex Scott, 23, and Crystal Palace and England's Adam Wharton, 22, are Chelsea's primary midfield targets, with the West London club no longer interested in Monaco and Senegal's Lamine Camara, 22. (CaughtOffside, external)
Aston Villa are keen to tie Argentina midfielder Emi Buendia, 29, to a new contract as a reward for his outstanding form (Mail), external
England left-back Luke Shaw, 31, could leave Manchester United when his present deal expires with the club next summer. (Teamtalk), external
Udinese are set to sign Austria defender David Alaba, 34, who left Real Madrid in the summer. (Fabrizio Romano), external
AI-assisted · generated from BBC Sport reporting, not editor reviewed
