The Italian giants secured Bosnia’s rising star for €35 million, fending off Chelsea’s late pursuit to finalize one of the summer’s most anticipated transfers from Bayer Leverkusen.
Kerim Alajbegović is set to become the latest high-profile departure from Bayer Leverkusen after Juventus reached a full agreement to sign the 18-year-old attacker.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the deal is now complete, with all parties reaching an agreement on Thursday. Juventus will pay a package worth €35 million, including bonuses, to secure one of Europe's most highly rated young talents.
The structure of the agreement has also been finalised.
According to Romano, the Serie A giants will pay €33 million in easily achievable bonuses, while a further €2 million will depend on more difficult performance-related clauses.
The player has also made his decision.
Alajbegović has agreed personal terms with Juventus after making the Italian club his preferred destination, despite receiving strong interest from several Premier League and Serie A sides throughout the summer.
Chelsea had emerged as Juventus' biggest rival in recent weeks.
The Premier League side, managed by former Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, had presented an ambitious sporting project and were prepared to meet Leverkusen's valuation. However, Juventus ultimately convinced the Bosnia and Herzegovina international that Turin represented the best next step in his development.
Napoli and Atalanta also remained in the race for much of the transfer window but were ultimately unable to match Juventus' proposal.
For Bayer Leverkusen, the transfer represents another outstanding piece of business.
Alajbegović only returned to the club after Bayer activated their buy-back clause following his impressive spell at RB Salzburg. Although he had been expected to challenge for first-team opportunities under new head coach Carles Martínez, the level of interest from Europe's elite quickly transformed his future into one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.
The sale also provides Leverkusen with another significant financial boost.
Combined with other potential departures, Bayer Leverkusen are set to have additional resources available as they continue reshaping the squad ahead of Carles Martínez’s first full season in charge. Rather than directly replacing Alajbegović with a like-for-like option, the club is expected to remain focused on identifying full-back profiles that align with their tactical vision.
For Juventus, meanwhile, the signing represents a major statement.
The Italian giants have beaten some of Europe's biggest clubs to secure one of the continent's most promising attacking prospects, underlining their commitment to investing in elite young talent.
With both the transfer agreement and personal terms now in place, only the formalities remain before Alajbegović is officially unveiled as a Juventus player, bringing an end to one of the summer's longest-running transfer sagas.
