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Chelsea close to signing £34m midfielder after Xabi Alonso request
Jul 24 2026 18:48 · By Chris Davie · 29 Reads
Chelsea are pushing ahead with their deal to sign Kerim Alajbegovic (Getty)
Chelsea are close to reaching an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal to sign Kerim Alajbegovic, according to reports in Germany.
The 18-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for Leverkusen and spent last season at Red Bull Salzburg where he scored 13 goals and registered four assists.
Earlier this week, reports claimed that Chelsea are considered favourites to sign Alajbegovic, who has also attracted interest from AC Milan and Atalanta.
On Friday, Bild reported that Chelsea are now on the verge of reaching an agreement with Leverkusen over a deal worth €40 million (£34.1m).
The report adds that Chelsea are in direct negotiations with Levekusen and a deal could be finalised by the end of the weekend.
Xabi Alonso is understood to have been impressed by Alajbegovic during his time in Leverkusen’s youth system and the Chelsea manager is once again directly involved in the club’s move for the Bosnia and Herzegovina international.
Kerim Alajbegovic impressed at the World Cup for Bosnia and Herzegovina (Getty)
Alajbegovic started three games during the World Cup as Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third in Group B and then lost to the United States in the round of 32.