Chelsea in pole position to sign €35m World Cup star from Xabi Alonso's past

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Chelsea are in pole position to land teenage sensation Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen, according to The Telegraph.

The Telegraph understands the Blues are poised to beat Juventus to the signing of the 18-year-old, who Leverkusen value at €35million (£30m).

Alajbegovic caught the eye for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup, scoring in the 3-1 group-stage win over Qatar.

The Telegraph claims Alajbegovic has been earmarked as a replacement for Aston Villa-bound Alejandro Garnacho.

Widespread reports understand Garnacho is set to join Villa on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Should Chelsea sign Alajbegovic, the move would see the winger reunite with Xabi Alonso, who managed Leverkusen between 2022 and 2025.

Alajbegovic was in Leverkusen’s youth ranks while Alonso was in charge of the first team, and therefore he never made an appearance under the Spaniard.

However, the Telegraph claims Alonso is excited by the possible arrival of Alajbegovic ahead of his maiden campaign with Chelsea.

Alajbegovic has never made an appearance for Leverkusen

Born in Germany to Bosnian parents, Alajbegovic spent eight years in Cologne’s youth academy before joining Leverkusen in 2021.

After spending a further four years in Leverkusen’s youth setup, he joined Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg in July 2025.

Alajbegovic scored 13 times for Salzburg last season before Leverkusen announced in March he would return to the club this summer.

He then received a call-up for Bosnia’s World Cup squad and made his tournament debut in the 1-1 group-stage draw with co-hosts Canada.

Alajbegovic went on to score in the 3-1 win over Qatar as Bosnia reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time in their history.

His side were beaten by co-hosts United States in the last 32, in a match which saw Folarin Balogun sent off before his automatic one-match ban was controversially suspended by FIFA.

Alajbegovic poised to follow in Rogers and Palestra's footsteps

Chelsea have been busy in the summer transfer window, signing Morgan Rogers from Villa in a club-record €138m (£117m) deal on Tuesday.

The Stamford Bridge club also signed Marco Palestra from Serie A outfit Atalanta in a €55m (£47m) deal at the start of July.

BBC Sport understands Alonso’s side have also had a €75m (£64m) bid for Alex Scott rejected by Bournemouth.

Chelsea have generated funds for Alonso’s transfer plans by selling Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George to Real Madrid, Manchester United and Everton respectively.