Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa are keen on signing Red Bull Salzburg’s Kerim Alajbegović.
The 18-year-old’s development at the Austrian club has seen Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa and others take notice.
He left 1. FC Köln’s academy for Bayern Leverkusen in 2021 and spent four years with the latter’s youth system.
In July 2025, the Bundesliga side sold him to Red Bull Salzburg and the move worked out well so far.
Operating mainly on the left wing and at times as a right winger, he scored 11 goals and contributed three assists from 37 matches.
His Austrian Bundesliga stats this season are as follows:
Appearances: 21
Starts: 16
Total minutes: 1,406
Minutes per game: 67
Expected Goals: 3.31
Expected Assists: 3.53
Goal conversion: 11%
Big chances created: 6
His impressive performances helped him make debut for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s senior team in September. Earlier in the season, Sport Witness covered claims from Germany of Manchester United scouting the youngster.
PL quartet in picture for transfer
Bosnia’s Reprezentacija report several English clubs ‘want to complete the transfer of Kerim Alajbegović as soon as possible.’ Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa are immediately named.
It’s claimed the Red Devils, Chelsea and Manchester City have all made contact, without making it clear whether it’s with his agent, club or both. Aston Villa are also in the mix and will try to make an approach.
On March 26th, Bayer Leverkusen announced to have activated the buyback clause to bring the attacker back to the club in the summer. The Premier League sides will have to negotiate with the German club to secure his services.
Bayer Leverkusen are in a comfortable position to hold talks over a potential sale. The outlet claims a fee around ‘€30m is in the works’ and could rise further if there’s a bidding war.
Our take: PL move may be too soon
Kerim Alajbegović may initially struggle to get regular minutes if he were to move to the Premier League in the summer.
He didn’t debut for Bayer Leverkusen’s first team, and it’s his first season at the highest level. So far, the young attacker played 2,117 minutes this season.
Due to lack of sufficient experience, The Bosnian may not enjoy minutes at Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City.
Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed his five-year contract will come into effect since the summer. His value, as per Transfermarkt, is €15m.