The 2026 FIFA World Cup provided the world with a glimpse of some of the talents to watch in the years to come. Whether it was the Ivory Coast's Yan Diomande or Switzerland's Johan Manzambi, it's safe to say that the future of the beautiful game is in the hands of some truly talented players. But there was another player who took the world by storm, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Kerim Alajbegovic.
The 18-year-old was a key part in the European country's underdog run to the Round of 32, bagging a goal against Qatar in the final group stage match in the tournament, while proving to be quite the handful against the United States in the knockout rounds, recording several shots without the lethal punch.
His World Cup call-up came off an impressive season with RB Salzburg, having been sold by Bayer Leverkusen for €2 million, recording 15 goal involvements, bulging the back of the net on 11 occasions with the Austrian side. But all of this action has caught the eyes of those at Stamford Bridge, according to a recent report.
Alajbegovic to the Premier League?
As reported by The Telegraph's Sam Wallace, Chelsea are leading the race to sign the Bosnian superstar, who has been reportedly valued at £30 million. Alajbegovic was brought back to the Bundesliga-side who sold him previously, making the move back to the BayArena for €4 million earlier in the summer window, but the club could look to make a significant profit on their wonderkid in the coming weeks.
One factor that has made the Blues so interested in acquiring the 18-year-old is the recent sale of Alejandro Garnacho to fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, leaving Xabi Alonso down one attacking player.
However, it's worth noting that while Chelsea are reportedly in the lead to sign Alajbegovic, interest has been there from other European clubs in the past, with Juventus, Atalanta, and Fiorentina looking to acquire Leverkusen's latest wonderkid, according to Wallace.
The Bosnian superstar would become the latest attacking-minded player added by the Blues in the Summer transfer window, with the recent acquisition of Morgan Rogers, as well as Georgia Quenda earlier in the season.
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