Chelsea’s long-standing pursuit of Kerim Alajbegovic has collapsed at the final hurdle, after the highly-coveted teenager reportedly agreed to a move to Juventus. The 18-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international, whose displays at the 2026 World Cup sparked a continent-wide chase, has chosen Turin over Stamford Bridge.
Juventus have come to a comprehensive agreement with Bayer Leverkusen. The deal is believed to be worth an initial €33 million, rising to €40 million if certain add-ons are met and a sell-on clause is included in the agreement.
For Die Werkself, the financial choreography is a lucrative piece of business. In 2025, they sold the academy graduate to RB Salzburg for around €2 million, with a buyback clause that they triggered for €8 million after he scored 9 goals and laid on 3 assists in an exciting season in Austria. The 14-time capped winger departs having failed to make a single competitive senior appearance for Leverkusen.
Chelsea’s last-ditch effort is so fierce that their disappointment is all the more acute. The young lad’s formative development at Leverkusen’s academy was overseen by Xabi Alonso, who reportedly explained the sporting pathway he intended to construct around him. However, a proposed interlude on loan at affiliate club Strasbourg proved an insurmountable impediment for the 18-year-old.
Xabi Alonso’s Honest Take on Chelsea’s Uneasy Transfer Market Aspirations
Alonso had already hinted that Chelsea’s summer was conspicuously incomplete when he spoke to reporters in Australia. The Spaniard said that he expected more players to leave before the window closes on September 1.
A team bloated by a procession of arrivals needs exits before competitive fixtures start. Chelsea have already recouped a lot of money through the sales of Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella and Tyrique George, while Alejandro Garnacho left for Aston Villa on loan.
Their consistent moves in the market, however, were not enough to overcome Juventus’ obvious promise of first-team involvement for Alajbegovic. Alonso refused to name an ideal squad size, instead emphasising the need for genuine internal competition and a sensible margin against injury attrition.
Having finished a dispiriting tenth last season, the Blues will now have to spend their vast resources elsewhere. Alajbegovic is awaiting clearance to travel to Turin to complete his medical examination.