According to transfer reporter Nicolo Schira, the Bosnian international has already agreed personal terms on a seven-year contract with the London club. Talks between Chelsea and Leverkusen are now nearing completion on a transfer fee valued at approximately \u00a335 million plus performance-related add-ons. While initial discussions explored securing the attacker below \u00a334 million, as indicated by Fabrizio Romano, the German champions held firm on their valuation following the teenager’s extraordinary international display.<\/p>\n
Seven-year contracts have become a central element of Chelsea’s squad-building strategy under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership group. Long-term commitments allow clubs in the Premier League to amortize transfer fees over an extended operational window, managing financial fair play obligations while securing high-potential talent.<\/p>\n
Alajbegovic’s stock rose significantly during the recent FIFA World Cup<\/a> with Bosnia and Herzegovina. During a 3-1 group stage victory over Qatar, he scored a spectacular long-range goal at the age of 18 years and 276 days. The strike made him the youngest player to score from outside the box at a World Cup since Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 did so in the 2018 final against Croatia.<\/p>\n The goal also established Alajbegovic as the eighth-youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, placing his debut tournament mark ahead of early World Cup scoring ages recorded by Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. His international breakthrough follows a breakout club campaign under Xabi Alonso<\/a> at Leverkusen, where he scored 13 goals and delivered four assists across all competitions.<\/p>\n The prospective arrival of Alajbegovic introduces new competition within Chelsea’s wide attacking options, directly affecting the dynamic around fellow 18-year-old left winger Jesse Derry. Derry made his senior debut under manager Liam Rosenior in February during a 4-0 FA Cup victory against Hull City before making his first Premier League start against Nottingham Forest in May.<\/p>\n Derry is currently spending the season on loan at Sporting CP, where he recently scored in pre-season against Monaco. As clubs navigate summer strategy alongside the latest football transfer updates<\/a>, the addition of Alajbegovic will require Chelsea to manage playing pathways carefully for their young developmental talent.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/nile1.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1785066363_976_new-logo.png\" "\\"\\""){kind=logo}
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