21 July 2026·By [Paul Vegas](/author/paul-vegas)
Bayer Leverkusen are set for a lucrative summer sale after it emerged Atalanta's move for winger Kerim Alajbegovic was close to being finalised, though negotiations with the Bundesliga club appear to be less advanced than initially suggested.
The 18-year-old, who was only recently bought back from Red Bull Salzburg for €8million, would reportedly welcome a switch to Serie A. However, German outlet Kicker believes no Italian club would be able to match the fee Leverkusen could command from a Premier League side instead, and one such suitor has now emerged.
According to _The Athletic_, Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, have joined the race for Alajbegovic. Before any deal can be finalised, though, the Blues need to trim their bloated squad, with Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson both among the attacking players expected to depart.
Whichever direction the deal ultimately goes, Leverkusen are set to make a healthy profit on a player they only reacquired a matter of months ago. Alajbegovic continued to catch the eye during the World Cup, adding to the eight caps he had already earned for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it remains to be seen whether his old coach Alonso can convince Chelsea to move for him ahead of their Italian rivals.
Bayer Leverkusen find themselves in a strong negotiating position regardless of which club wins the race. With interest from both Serie A and the Premier League, the German club can effectively let the two sides compete for Alajbegovic's signature, driving up the eventual transfer fee rather than settling for the first offer that lands on their desk.
That comfortable position gives Leverkusen little incentive to rush a decision, even as Alajbegovic's stock continues to rise following his performances on the biggest stage of his young career so far.
The winger has drawn admirers for his direct, versatile style, capable of playing across the front line and delivering in the final third with either foot. Should his eventual fee end up closer to the Premier League end of the market than a typical Serie A deal, it would represent a significant return on Leverkusen's initial outlay just months after re-signing him.