Juventus have completed the permanent signing of Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen, the club announced on Sunday, bringing one of European football's most coveted teenagers to Turin.
The 18-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international has signed a contract running until 30 June 2031. Neither club disclosed the fee, but reports in Germany and Italy put the guaranteed cost above €30 million, with add-ons capable of taking the total towards €40 million. Juventus's official statement confirmed a fixed payment of €30 million, payable in four instalments, plus €2 million in ancillary charges and up to €5 million in bonuses tied to sporting objectives.
Alajbegovic chose Juventus ahead of Chelsea, who pushed hardest for his signature. Former Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso was said to have made a personal pitch, but the Premier League club's inability to promise regular first-team football, particularly after the signing of Morgan Rogers, counted against them. Napoli and Atalanta were also reported to have been in the running. The decisive factor, per reports, was the guarantee of a first-team role in Turin.