Chelsea continue to reshape their squad after a difficult 2025–26 campaign brought major changes at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League and also suffered a round-of-16 exit in the Champions League.
However, Chelsea responded by appointing Xabi Alonso and beginning another major rebuild ahead of the new season.
Their summer business has already included a British-record £117M move for Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.
Meanwhile, Marco Palestra and Geovany Quenda have also arrived as Chelsea continue strengthening several areas of the squad.
The club are now turning their attention towards another highly-rated young player as they look to secure talent for the future.
Their latest target enjoyed a major breakthrough last season before making an impression on the international stage.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are now leading the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kerim Alajbegovic.
The 18-year-old spent last season with Red Bull Salzburg, where he scored 13 goals and provided four assists across all competitions.
His performances convinced Bayer Leverkusen to activate their €8M buy-back option and bring him back to Germany.
However, the Bundesliga club could now immediately sell him for a significant profit. Chelsea are reportedly prepared to pay around £30M to secure his signature.
Alajbegovic also enhanced his reputation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He featured four times during the tournament and helped his country reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Moreover, the teenager scored a memorable long-range goal during a 3–1 victory over Qatar. His ability to operate from the left wing or as a number 10 has also increased his appeal.
Atalanta had previously emerged as favourites for his signature, while other Italian clubs have shown interest.
However, Chelsea have now moved into pole position as they look to complete another major investment in young talent.
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