Juventus beat out Chelsea in race to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Kerim Alajbegovic with €40m offer

Reports suggest that Juventus have emerged victorious over Chelsea in the pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kerim Alajbegovic. While sources indicate a deal is close to completion, Alajbegovic still needs to give his final approval before moving to the Serie A club.

Chelsea's Pursuit of Kerim Alajbegovic

Chelsea's interest in Alajbegovic materialized after a remarkable year for the player, who was initially sold by Bayer Leverkusen for just €2 million. The attacker joined RB Salzburg in July 2025, with Leverkusen retaining a buy-back clause.

By November, Leverkusen seemed poised to exercise this option. Alajbegović had already scored six goals and provided one assist in his first 21 appearances for Salzburg, significantly increasing his market value from its initial non-existent status to an estimated €5 million.

Early speculation suggested Leverkusen could bring him back for around €5-6 million, with later reports placing the figure closer to €8 million. These were modest investments for a player whose development in Austria and rapid rise with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team had transformed his standing.

At that point, Alajbegovic was viewed as a crucial element for Leverkusen's rebuild, valued for his versatility across the wings and central attacking areas, aligning with the club's preference for positional flexibility.

However, the situation shifted dramatically as Alajbegovic continued to impress throughout the 2025/26 season. By the summer, Leverkusen had reacquired the player but were already open to selling him again before he could make his senior debut for them.

Chelsea emerged as the frontrunner for Alajbegović's signature on July 23rd. Reports from Bosnia and Herzegovina and England indicated that the Premier League club had moved ahead of their rivals. German publication Kicker also corroborated these claims, reporting that the 18-year-old had submitted a transfer request.

Leverkusen's readiness to entertain offers was noteworthy, especially considering they had previously seen Alajbegović as a key part of their future and might have been inclined to keep him given injury concerns with Eliesse Ben Seghir.

Despite these factors, the club's stance remained unchanged. Leverkusen recognized Alajbegović's estimated market value had surged to €22 million and saw an opportunity for an exceptionally profitable transfer based on his performances for Salzburg and his national team.

The transfer seemed poised to progress rapidly. Chelsea possessed the financial means to meet Leverkusen's valuation, and Alajbegović's transfer request suggested his willingness to move 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 of approximately €40 million, including performance-related bonuses.

This offer firmly placed Chelsea ahead of other interested clubs. Atalanta had already had a bid rejected, while Napoli and Juventus also showed interest in the teenager.

However, significant hurdles remained. Chelsea had yet to agree 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 join Leverkusen's preseason preparations.

Chelsea's pursuit advanced rapidly at the club level but never reached a decisive stage with the player. This gap ultimately paved the way for Juventus to intervene.

The Italian giants subsequently reached a full agreement with Leverkusen for an initial transfer fee of €33 million, with performance-related bonuses potentially increasing the total package to the €40 million figure Leverkusen had sought.

Chelsea's approach had helped establish the framework for the deal and demonstrated that Leverkusen's ambitious valuation was achievable. Nevertheless, Juventus managed to surpass the Premier League club and secure the agreement with die Werkself.

For Leverkusen, this outcome represents exceptional asset management. They initially sold Alajbegović for around €2 million, reacquired him through a relatively inexpensive buy-back clause, and now stand to receive up to €40 million without him ever playing a senior match for them.

Chelsea, on the other hand, leaves empty-handed, despite briefly appearing to lead the race. Their failure to transition swiftly from an agreement with Leverkusen to personal terms with Alajbegović allowed Juventus to convert their sustained interest into a near-completed transfer.