Chelsea leads race for Bosnian winger Kerim Alajbegovic

Chelsea are in advanced negotiations to sign 18‑year‑old Bosnian international Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen. The winger, who impressed at Red Bull Salzburg and featured for Bosnia at the 2026 World Cup, has attracted interest from several Serie A clubs including Atalanta, Juventus, Napoli and Fiorentina. Chelsea’s new manager Xabi Alonso – who coached Alajbegovic at Leverkusen – is reportedly the main driver of the deal. The English club is said to be preparing an offer in the €30‑35 million range (roughly £30‑34 million), lower than some rumours of a £34 million bid. Negotiations are ongoing, personal terms with the player have not been finalised, and a short‑term loan to a partner club is being discussed. Multiple German and Italian sources confirm that the transfer is the most likely outcome despite competing offers.