€40m package agreed
Kerim Alajbegović set to join Juventus – Why Chelsea lost out on the Leverkusen talent
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Kerim Alajbegović is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen and join Juventus. Juve are set to beat out the likes of Chelsea and Serie A competitor Atalanta. Transfermarkt can confirm reports from Sky and Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio that there is full agreement between the Bundesliga club and Juventus. Leverkusen will receive an initial €33 million, plus add-ons that could bring the deal to €40m.This will make Alajbegović the most expensive U19 Bundesliga transfer in history.
Market Value
K. Alajbegovic
Left Winger
€25.00m
All that is missing in this case is the medical and the personal agreement between the player and Juventus. It is expected, however, that those final hurdles will be cleared. This will be a quick turnover for Alajbegović, who starred for Bosnia at the World Cup this summer. Leverkusen sold Alajbegović for €2m to Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2025. That deal included a buyback option worth €8m, which Leverkusen triggered after the 18-year-old scored 13 goals and four assists in 44 games across all competitions for Salzburg.
Stats
K. Alajbegovic
Left Winger
Red Bull Salzburg
44
13
4
Indeed, his performances meant that Alajbegović quickly became a hot prospect, seeing his market value increase from €5m to €25m. Italian clubs, in particular, took notice, and the playmaker was linked with moves to Napoli, Fiorentina, AC Milan, Inter Milan and, as mentioned, Atalanta. Chelsea then entered the race late and, for some time, appeared to be the favourites, as the Premier League club offered a €40m package. Xabi Alonso, who knows the player well, wanted Alajbegović for his project in London.
Kerim Alajbegović picks Juve – Why did Chelsea lose out?
Chelsea are now set to lose out on the player. In fact, one could argue the same is true for Leverkusen. There is no doubt that Alajbegović is a rising star. Incredibly talented, with fantastic vision and the ability to play multiple attacking roles, his sort of profile is hard to find on the market. But the ambitious teenager wanted a starting role at his new club. Neither Leverkusen nor Chelsea could offer such a guarantee. Chelsea have recently signed Morgan Rogers for the left wing, and Leverkusen added Afonso Moreira from Olympique Lyon.
Player Comparison
Kerim Alajbegovic
Morgan Rogers
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Chelsea FC
€25.00m
Market Value
€110.00m
18
Age
24
Left Winger
Position
Attacking Midfield
30/06/2031
Contract until
30/06/2033
Full Player Comparison
Furthermore, as Alajbegović is an academy product, Leverkusen can sell him for pure profit. And at Juve, the Bosnian is set to be given a significant role. That, of course, raises some other questions. Kenan Yıldız is listed as a left-winger, but there have been consistent rumours about the Turkish national team player and a potential move to the Premier League. Could Alajbegović take over his role? That remains to be seen. Either way, Juve seem to have convinced the teenager that they are the right club for him to continue his promising career.
Player Comparison
Kerim Alajbegovic
Kenan Yıldız
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Juventus FC
€25.00m
Market Value
€75.00m
18
Age
21
Left Winger
Position
Left Winger
30/06/2031
Contract until
30/06/2030
Full Player Comparison
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