Chelsea discover €35m summer target is becoming 'essential' at his new club

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Chelsea have been told summer target Kerim Alajbegovic is on track to become an “essential player” for his new club Juventus.

The Blues opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible €35million (£30m) deal for Alajbegovic in the summer transfer window.

Alajbegovic is a familiar name to Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, with the pair having represented Bundesliga side Leverkusen at the same time.

However, the 19-year-old winger ended up joining Serie A giants Juventus for the slightly lower figure of €32m (£27.5m) in August.

And Chelsea have learned Alajbegovic has made an impact in Italy, scoring in the Europa League win over NEC Nijmegen earlier this month.

Gazzetta dello Sport writer Giovanni Albanese believes the teen sensation is slowly becoming a key figure under Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti.

Albanese writes: “His performances are improving, and he's actually starting to become someone [who is hard to overlook].

“Spalletti is showing him the way to grow fast, and he's starting to make decisions that matter in front of goal.

“He’s on the right track to becoming a top player and an essential part of the new Juve. Alajbegovic is the new beacon [of light].”

Before scoring against Eredivisie side NEC in the Europa League, Alajbegovic impressed in Juventus’ 3-2 loss at Sassuolo four days earlier.

He had the most touches in the opposition box (10) in a match which saw the Bianconeri concede a 94th-minute winner from Vasilije Adzic.

Chelsea have also been in fine goalscoring form

Chelsea, on the other hand, have had no problems scoring goals this season thanks to the electric form of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.

The west London club have scored 18 goals in seven games in all competitions, with their issues occurring at the other end of the pitch.

Chelsea are winless in three Premier League games having drawn with Hull City either side of losses to Arsenal and Brentford.

The six-time league champions are looking to bounce back when they entertain Bournemouth on Saturday, 10 October following the International break.

Juventus meanwhile return to action when they travel to Cagliari the following day, with Spalletti’s men having won three of their opening five games in Serie A.

Alajbegovic is currently on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina, clocking up 89 minutes in their Nations League stalemate with Poland on Friday.

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