Alonso pushing Chelsea to hijack Atalanta’s move for Kerim Alajbegovic | OneFootball

Chelsea have entered the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen teenager Kerim Alajbegovic, according to Bosnian outlet Faktor.

They are looking to sign a new left winger after Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho struggled last season.

The Blues are prepared to sell Garnacho, potentially allowing them to sign a new left-sided attacker.

Chelsea have now identified Alajbegovic as a target, but face competition from Atalanta.

Atalanta had been leading the race, but negotiations have reportedly stalled due to Chelsea’s interest in the Bosnian forward.

Manager Xabi Alonso is pushing Chelsea to sign the 18-year-old.

Alajbegovic, who came through Leverkusen’s youth ranks, trained with the first team under Alonso and was included in several matchday squads, but did not make his professional debut.

He made his first team debut at RB Salzburg after joining them permanently last summer. He bagged 13 goals and four assists in 44 games last season.

Alajbegovic also represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He scored the only goal in their 3-1 victory over Qatar and won the man-of-the-match award.

He has since rejoined Leverkusen, but he could leave again after attracting interest from several clubs.

The Germany-born youngster is a direct, versatile and dynamic winger, who also has the ability to deliver in the final third.

Chelsea have also been linked with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, although they are expected to move elsewhere.