Juventus has reportedly outmaneuvered Chelsea to secure the signing of Bayer Leverkusen forward Kerim Alajbegovic with a €40 million offer. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, the transfer is not finalized yet, as Alajbegovic still needs to give his approval before joining the Serie A side.

Chelsea's Interest in Alajbegovic

Chelsea's pursuit of Alajbegovic followed an impressive year for the player, who Bayer Leverkusen had initially sold for just €2 million. The Köln native moved to RB Salzburg in July 2025, with Leverkusen including a buyback clause in the deal. By November, Leverkusen appeared keen to exercise that option, as Alajbegovic had made a significant impact, scoring six goals and providing one assist in his first 21 competitive matches for Salzburg. His market value had surged to €5 million, up from virtually nothing at the time of his departure from Germany.

Initially, reports indicated that Leverkusen could reacquire the winger for around €5 million to €6 million, but later estimates suggested the figure could be closer to €8 million. This investment seemed modest for a player whose development in Austria and rapid ascent with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team had elevated his profile significantly. Alajbegovic was viewed as a potential cornerstone for Leverkusen's rebuilding efforts, given his versatility to play on both wings or in more central attacking roles.

Changing Dynamics

The situation evolved dramatically as Alajbegovic's stock continued to rise during the 2025/26 season. By the summer, although Leverkusen had re-signed the young talent, they were already considering selling him again before he made his senior debut for the club. On July 23, Chelsea emerged as the frontrunner for Alajbegovic's signature, with reports from both Bosnia and Herzegovina and England indicating that the Premier League club had taken the lead in negotiations. Kicker also confirmed that the 18-year-old had submitted a transfer request.

Despite Leverkusen's previous intentions to keep Alajbegovic as a key player for their future, the club's willingness to entertain offers was notable. Injury concerns regarding Eliesse Ben Seghir might have typically encouraged them to hold onto another versatile attacker, but these factors did not change the club's stance regarding Alajbegovic's potential transfer.

As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Alajbegovic to see if he will give the green light for his move to Juventus, marking a significant step in his career.