Chelsea have submitted an opening bid exceeding €30 million for Bayer Leverkusen forward Kerim Alajbegovic, according to Kicker. The offer represents a significant move for the 18-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina youth international, who has also been linked with a transfer to Atalanta this summer.
Leverkusen are reportedly seeking a total package worth €40 million for Alajbegovic, creating a gap between the two clubs’ valuations. Negotiations between Chelsea and the player have not yet begun, with the focus currently on reaching an agreement with Leverkusen. The German club re-signed Alajbegovic last summer, activating an €8 million buy-back clause from RB Salzburg.
Alajbegovic initially joined Leverkusen’s youth setup before moving to Salzburg, where he continued his development. Leverkusen’s decision to trigger the buy-back clause demonstrates their belief in the player’s potential. He has not yet established himself as a regular starter for Xabi Alonso’s side, but has shown promise in limited appearances.
Atalanta had previously emerged as strong contenders for Alajbegovic’s signature, but discussions regarding the transfer fee with Leverkusen stalled. Chelsea’s swift move and willingness to meet a substantial portion of Leverkusen’s asking price appear to have shifted the momentum in their favour. The Blues are actively reshaping their attacking options under new ownership, and Alajbegovic represents a potential long-term investment.
Should Chelsea successfully complete the deal, Alajbegovic would add further depth to their forward line and compete for playing time alongside existing options. Leverkusen, meanwhile, would secure a significant profit on a player they recently re-acquired, allowing them to reinvest in other areas of their squad.
