At just 18 years old, Kerim Alajbegovic never stepped onto the pitch for Bayer Leverkusen in a competitive match, yet the Bundesliga club has just completed a record-breaking transfer worth at least €30 million to Juventus. The move includes additional fees and potential bonuses, making it one of the most lucrative deals for a teenager in football history.

The Bosnian winger, who featured in four matches and scored once at the World Cup, becomes the most expensive player under 19 ever sold from the Bundesliga. His transfer surpasses previous records set by young talents like Renato Sanches, who arrived at Bayern Munich for €35 million at a similar age.

The path to this landmark deal has been unconventional. After failing to make an impact in Leverkusen’s senior squad, Alajbegovic was loaned out to Red Bull Salzburg last summer. The Austrian club paid €2 million, with Leverkusen securing an €8 million buy-back option. The gamble paid off—Alajbegovic thrived in Salzburg, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. His standout performances convinced Leverkusen to activate the buy-back clause before sealing his permanent move to Italy.

Juventus beats Chelsea in high-stakes transfer race

Reports suggest Chelsea had tabled a €40 million offer for the youngster, but Juventus ultimately prevailed by promising Alajbegovic an immediate starting spot. The allure of Serie A and the prospect of playing under former Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso tipped the scales in favor of the Italian giants.

Why Leverkusen let their prized asset go

Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted the decision wasn’t easy. “After his youth development with us, Kerim has grown significantly during his time in Salzburg. However, our squad is stacked with top talent at his position—competition is fierce. Given the overall value of this deal, we saw it as the right move for all parties.”

The Bosnian attacker’s versatility—capable of playing on either wing or as an attacking midfielder—meant he would have faced stiff competition at Leverkusen from high-profile signings like Afonso Bastardo Moreira (€29.5 million from Olympique Lyonnais) and Eliesse Ben-Seghir, alongside established talents Malik Tillman and Ibrahim Maza.

With no competitive minutes to his name for Leverkusen, this transfer is a bold statement in player development and financial strategy—proving that potential, when monetized early, can yield extraordinary returns.