Juventus Beat Chelsea to Sign Bayer Leverkusen's Kerim Alajbegovic for €40 Million

According to reports from Florian Plettenberg, Juventus have successfully outmaneuvered Chelsea in the pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen's young attacker, Kerim Alajbegovic. However, Fabrizio Romano offers a nuanced perspective, stating that the deal is not yet finalized and awaits the player's final approval before he moves to the Serie A club. It is widely expected that Alajbegovic will indeed sanction the transfer.

Chelsea's Interest in Kerim Alajbegovic

Chelsea's interest in Alajbegovic emerged after a remarkable period for the player, whom Bayer Leverkusen had initially sold to RB Salzburg for a mere €2 million in July 2025. Leverkusen wisely included a buy-back clause in the agreement.

By November, Leverkusen appeared determined to exercise this buy-back option. Alajbegović had already registered six goals and provided one assist in his first 21 competitive matches for Salzburg, significantly increasing his market value from its initial negligible state to an estimated €5 million.

Initial reports suggested Leverkusen could reacquire the winger for approximately €5-6 million, with later information placing the figure closer to €8 million. Either sum represented a modest investment in a player whose development in Austria and rapid ascent with the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team had dramatically enhanced his standing.

At that juncture, Alajbegovic was considered a potential cornerstone for Leverkusen's future. His versatility, capable of playing on either wing or drifting centrally, aligned perfectly with the positional flexibility the Bundesliga club typically values.

The situation underwent a significant shift as Alajbegovic continued his impressive trajectory throughout the 2025/26 season. By the summer, Leverkusen had brought the youngster back but were already preparing to sell him again before he could make his senior debut for them.

Chelsea surfaced as the primary contender for Alajbegović’s signature on July 23. Reports from Bosnia and Herzegovina and England indicated that the Premier League club had taken the lead over their rivals. Kicker corroborated these claims, reporting that the 18-year-old had submitted a transfer request.

Leverkusen's readiness to consider offers was notable. The club had previously viewed Alajbegović as a vital part of their future plans, and while injury concerns regarding Eliesse Ben Seghir might normally have encouraged them to retain another versatile attacking option, this did not alter their position.

Die Werkself recognized that Alajbegovic's estimated market value had surged to €22 million, and his performances for Salzburg and Bosnia and Herzegovina presented an opportunity for an exceptionally profitable transfer deal.

Matters seemed poised for swift progress. Chelsea possessed the financial capacity to meet Leverkusen's valuation, and Alajbegović's transfer request suggested a readiness to move on without attempting to establish himself at the BayArena.

The following day, Chelsea submitted an initial offer with a guaranteed fee exceeding €30 million. Leverkusen aimed to secure a total package worth approximately €40 million, including performance-related bonuses.

This offer positioned Chelsea firmly ahead of the competition. Atalanta had already seen an initial bid rejected, while Napoli and Juventus also maintained their interest in the teenager.

However, crucial steps remained. Chelsea had not yet agreed personal terms with Alajbegović, nor had they initiated concrete negotiations with his representatives. The player continued his individual training in Bosnia and Herzegovina and was scheduled to report for Leverkusen's preseason preparations.

Chelsea's pursuit, therefore, advanced rapidly at the club level without ever reaching the decisive stage with the player. This gap ultimately created an opening for Juventus to intervene.

The Italian champions subsequently reached a full agreement with Leverkusen on an initial transfer fee of €33 million. Performance-related bonuses could elevate the total package to €40 million – the figure the Bundesliga club had sought throughout the negotiations.

Chelsea's initial offer helped establish the parameters of the deal and demonstrated that Leverkusen's ambitious valuation was achievable. Nevertheless, Juventus moved ahead of the Premier League club and secured the agreement with die Werkself.

For Leverkusen, this outcome represents an exceptional piece of asset management. The club initially sold Alajbegović for approximately €2 million, reacquired him through a relatively inexpensive buy-back clause, and now stands to receive up to €40 million without the youngster having made a senior appearance for them.

Meanwhile, Chelsea is left empty-handed, despite having briefly appeared to lead the race. Their failure to swiftly transition from an agreement with Leverkusen to personal terms with Alajbegović allowed Juventus to convert their sustained interest into a nearly completed transfer.

GGFN | Peter Weis