Bayer Leverkusen nets €30m for unplayed teen star Alajbegovic

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through European football, Bayer Leverkusen has offloaded 18-year-old Bosnian sensation Kerim Alajbegovic to Juventus for a staggering €30 million—plus bonuses—despite the player never featuring in an official match for the Bundesliga club.

The teenager, who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup (scoring once in four appearances), became the most expensive under-19 player ever sold from the Bundesliga. His transfer surpasses the previous record held by Renato Sanches, who joined Bayern Munich from Benfica for €35 million in 2016 at age 19.

Alajbegovic’s journey to Turin began with Leverkusen, who developed him through their youth academy alongside 1. FC Köln. However, after initially failing to break into Leverkusen’s first team, he was loaned to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria last summer. The Austrian club paid just €2 million, but Leverkusen secured an €8 million buy-back option—one they swiftly activated after Alajbegovic thrived in Salzburg, netting 13 goals and providing four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.

Juventus beats Chelsea to the prize

While reports suggest Chelsea tabled a higher offer of €40 million for the left-winger, the promise of immediate first-team action at Juventus proved irresistible. Reports indicate the Italian giants guaranteed Alajbegovic a starting role, swaying his decision to remain in Serie A under former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.

Why Leverkusen chose profit over potential

Sporting director Simon Rolfes shed light on Leverkusen’s rationale, stating, « After progressing through our academy, Kerim took another significant step at Salzburg. However, with intense competition at his preferred positions—including recent recruits Afonso Bastardo Moreira (€29.5m from Lyon) and Eliesse Ben-Seghir (21), alongside established talents Malik Tillman and Ibrahim Maza—we had to make a realistic assessment. The transfer package ultimately made his departure to Italy the best decision for all parties. »

Alajbegovic’s versatility—capable of playing on either flank or as an attacking midfielder—only heightened the competition for spots in Leverkusen’s squad. His sale marks Leverkusen’s second lucrative transfer of an unproven youngster this summer, following a similar strategy with another academy graduate.

The deal underscores a growing trend among Bundesliga clubs: prioritizing financial gains from youth development over long-term integration, even when the talent is undeniable. For Juventus, however, it’s a calculated gamble on a player who has already proven his mettle at the highest level.