Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are in a battle to sign in-demand Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, but one club consider themselves favourites to sign the England international, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

Scott, 23, was one of the standout players in the Premier League last season, having helped the Cherries secure European football for the first time. With that, the England international attracted significant transfer interest in the summer.

Chelsea saw a number of approaches, including a third bid of £64million, rejected by Bournemouth.

And the Blues are not giving up on signing Scott. Indeed, GIVEMESPORT understands that Xabi Alonso's side consider themselves the favourites to sign the ex-Bristol City man in the January transfer window, and talks are ongoing.

They have made Scott their top target for the winter market and are going to be aggressive in their approach to land him mid-season. The Blues sold Enzo Fernandez late in the summer and failed to replace him, with Scott their No.1 midfield choice.

Due to this, Liverpool and Arsenal have a decision to make. They could rival Chelsea in an inflated market for a player of Scott's calibre, especially now he is back fit and earlier than expected, or might decide to wait until the summer, which is a scenario Bournemouth would welcome as it would give them more time to find a suitable replacement.

"With Alex Scott, Chelsea consider themselves the favourites in the winter market," GIVEMESPORT's Ben Jacobs said. "And talks are already, according to my information, ongoing on the club side and on the player side.

"And then Liverpool and Arsenal would have a decision to make. Do they rival Chelsea in probably an inflated market for a player of Scott's calibre, especially now he's back fit and earlier than expected?

"Do they persuade the player to wait until the summer, which is obviously a scenario Bournemouth welcome, or do they back off and give Chelsea a clearer run because Chelsea have money from Enzo Fernandez?"

Liverpool are expected to dip into the transfer market to sign a new midfielder, whether that be in January or next summer. There has been no update or movement on a potential new contract for Alexis Mac Allister and the Reds feel they can strengthen in that area, adding to Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Trey Nyoni, who is advancing on fresh terms at Anfield.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are not in a rush to bring in more midfielders, having completed the £75m signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in the summer. Mikel Arteta's side could do with adding one more midfield body, given the decision to let Christian Norgaard leave and Martin Zubimendi's uncertain future, but it's not a desperate concern right now.

With Chelsea accelerating on a move for Scott, Liverpool and Arsenal might need to decide, depending on the scale of the Blues' next bid, if they want to match it or back off and give Xabi Alonso's side a clearer run in the race.

Scott returned from injury to take his place on the bench for Bournemouth's trip to Ipswich Town on Sunday. He had spent the previous seven weeks out after sustaining a hamstring problem while on England international duty in September.