Chelsea have been strongly linked with a transfer bid for a teenager who lit up the World Cup
Chelsea’s summer transfer window has already – perhaps predictably – been somewhat explosive, and there are no signs that they plan to slow down their spending in the coming weeks. Several new players are likely to arrive at Stamford Bridge, with a World Cup wonderkid reportedly next on the shopping list.
Several stories originating from Germany allege that the Blues are making a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s 18-year-old winger Kerim Alajbegović, who impressed for Bosnia & Herzegovina this summer and scored one of the best goals of the tournament against Qatar. But is the youngster ready for the Premier League, and how likely is it that a deal gets done in the coming days?
Will Chelsea sign Kerim Alajbegović this summer?
Alajbegović has 14 caps and two goals for Bosnia & Herzegovinaplaceholder image
Alajbegović has 14 caps and two goals for Bosnia & Herzegovina | Getty Images
According to multiple reports from the German press (which have recently been summarised in English by Sport Witness), Chelsea are closing in on agreement with Leverkusen to sign Alajbegović, just months after he agreed to move to the German side in the first place.
Alajbegović came through the academy ranks with Leverkusen and was at the club when new Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso was in charge, but left in the summer of 2025 to join RB Salzburg for an undisclosed fee without making his debut.
Just a few months after moving to Austria, he signed a new long-term contract – and just a little further down the line in March, he agreed to move right back to Leverkusen this summer on a five-year deal.
He still hasn’t played a match in a Leverkusen shirt and it’s looking increasingly likely that he never will – Chelsea are in negotiations over a deal rumoured to be worth around €40m (£34m), and Leverkusen appear content to pocket a quick profit.
According to German tabloid Bild, Chelsea would sign him with an eye to sending him on loan (perhaps back to his current club where he might finally get to play for the club that developed him) but that apparent lack of an immediate opportunity for first-team football could help another club to land him – namely Juventus, who are also keen on the young Bosnian after his impressive work at the World Cup.
The Italian outfit seem to be less far along the line with a potential deal, but are firmly in the picture, as are fellow Serie A sides Napoli and Atalanta – but Chelsea appear to be the frontrunners for now.
No agreement has been reached on personal terms as yet, but according to Kicker Alajbegović will be held out of first-team training upon his rest from the summer break while the transfer remains a likelihood. Yet another transfer seems all but certain at this stage, although it’s not yet guaranteed that Chelsea will be the club to buy him.
How good is potential Chelsea signing Alajbegović?
Alajbegović agreed a five-year deal with Leverkusen in March 2026placeholder image
Alajbegović agreed a five-year deal with Leverkusen in March 2026 | Getty Images
Given that Chelsea appear to be considering signing Alajbegović in order to loan him out for his first season, it may well be the case that the Blues don’t view the winger as a player who can contribute to the first team immediately – but his work at the World Cup and in the Austrian Bundesliga provide the impression of a player knocking at the door of the top level of the game.
Despite being a strong dribbler with good pace, the ability to beat defenders on both sides and genuine playmaking skills, it’s perhaps his finishing which has caught the eye the most – the rasping strike against Qatar was a typically ferocious effort from a player unafraid to take shots on from distance.
Alajbegović scored 13 goals in 40 games for RB Salzburg including several from distance, and contributed four assists – a number that perhaps should have been higher given the quality of some of the chances he provided.
The Bosnian has few evident weaknesses in his game save for inexperience, especially at the very highest level, although he looked the part during his nation’s run at the World Cup.
Crucially, he should be a good fit for Xabi Alonso’s style of play. The Spaniard has typically wanted wide forwards who can attack the full-back either on the outside or by coming narrow and looking to work the channels, and Alajbegović is happy to drift inside and out and is genuinely two-footed, although he could stand to improve the accuracy of his crossing when he hits the byline and looks to play the ball across goal with his left boot.
Even if Bild’s claim that Chelsea would loan Alajbegović back out proved to be wide of the mark, he’s a player that will likely be introduced to first-team action gradually – but he has enough explosiveness and a sufficiently impressive ability to create goals out of thin air that he would perhaps be able to contribute in patches if called upon. He’s already an exciting and dangerous player, and his potential seems to be very substantial indeed.