Chelsea Linked Again With Juventus Youngster Kerim Alajbegović
The short version
- Gazzetta dello Sport reports Juventus could face renewed Chelsea and Premier League interest in Kerim Alajbegović.
- Alajbegović, 19, moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Juventus this summer for around €30 million plus bonuses after Chelsea also pursued him.
- He has started a Serie A game against Milan and scored in Europe against NEC Nijmegen since arriving.
- Italian reports value him at €35 million to €40 million, and no formal January bid from Chelsea has been made.
- Juventus reportedly view him and Kenan Yıldız as core young players and have little willingness to sell.
Juventus are aware that Kerim Alajbegović's fast start in Turin could draw renewed Chelsea and Premier League interest in January, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Chelsea have been linked with a renewed move for Kerim Alajbegović, the 19-year-old Bosnia international who joined Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen only two months ago. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus recognize that the teenager's rapid development could attract fresh attention from Chelsea and other Premier League clubs when the January window opens.
The London club tried to sign Alajbegović during the summer, only for Juventus to secure him instead. The teenager never made a competitive senior appearance for Leverkusen, despite spending several years in the club's academy before leaving for Salzburg in 2025.
His time in Austria proved a turning point in his career. Alajbegović produced 13 goals and four assists in 44 appearances for Salzburg last season, then lifted his profile further by representing Bosnia at the World Cup.
Leverkusen had planned for such a rise. When Alajbegović left for Salzburg, the German club kept an €8 million buyback option and activated it this summer. Rather than restoring him to their first team, Leverkusen instead faced competing interest from Chelsea and Juventus. Alajbegović picked Turin, and Juventus completed a deal worth around €30 million plus bonuses, a major return for Leverkusen on a player they developed.
His first months in Italy have only added to the story. Alajbegović has quickly earned a place in Juventus' plans: injuries handed him an early chance, and he has taken it well enough to keep his squad role, including a Serie A start against Milan and a goal in Europe against NEC Nijmegen.
His fast integration has also changed how Juventus view him. Gazzetta reports that the club sees Alajbegović and Kenan Yıldız as the two young players meant to anchor its next era, a shift from the promising teenager the club chased during the summer. Despite the financial pressures around the club, there is currently little willingness to sell either.
That stance would shape any Chelsea approach. Italian reports now value Alajbegović between €35 million and €40 million, though Juventus have given no indication they would accept an offer in that range. Chelsea's interest has not yet produced a formal January bid, and a renewed attempt would mean negotiating for a player the Turin club bought at significant cost only months ago.
The Alajbegović name is still present at Leverkusen, though. Kerim's 13-year-old brother, Emre, is coming through the club's academy, has already played above his age group and has taken part in a German under-15 training camp, keeping the family connected to the club after Kerim's departure.
Chelsea's next fixture gives fans a chance to watch the squad as the January talk builds. Chelsea visit West Ham United on Sunday, October 4, at Victoria Road, with kickoff at 9:00 AM EDT and the match streaming on Paramount+.
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