Alonso urges Chelsea to outbid Atalanta for Bosnian winger

Chelsea have a clear vacancy on the left wing after Jamie Gittens’ and Alejandro Garnacho’s under‑whelming seasons, prompting the Blues to hunt for a fresh attacking option. Manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly urging the club to secure 18‑year‑old Bosnian winger Kerim Alajbegovic to fill the gap.

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

Atalanta were previously leading the pursuit, but negotiations have reportedly stalled after Chelsea’s interest emerged.

Manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly urging the Blues to secure the 18‑year‑old Bosnian forward.

Chelsea are prepared to sell Garnacho, a move that would free up space for a left‑sided attacker.

Both clubs view Alajbegovic as a potential solution to their left‑wing needs, intensifying the competition for his signature.

The youngster progressed through Bayer Leverkusen’s youth system, trained with the first team under Alonso, and was named in several matchday squads without making a professional debut for the German side.

He later debuted for RB Salzburg after joining the Austrian club on a permanent deal last summer.

In his most recent season, Alajbegovic recorded 13 goals and four assists across 44 games.

He also featured for Bosnia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring the only goal in a 3‑1 win over Qatar and earning man‑of‑the‑match honours.

While praised for his direct, versatile and dynamic wing play, Chelsea could be taking a huge risk by signing him due to his limited experience.

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

Should Chelsea complete the deal, they would add a young left‑sided attacker and potentially offload Garnacho, while Atalanta may lose their chance as talks stall and Alajbegovic could depart Bayer Leverkusen again after attracting interest from several clubs.