Juventus’ new front office looks to have delivered us another surprise.
So much for the summer mercato being slow, right? (Don’t actually answer that.)
According to reports in both Italy and Germany on Wednesday, Juventus have an agreement in principle for teenage Bosnian winger Kerim Alajbegović, who seemingly announced himself to European football during the World Cup earlier this month. Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen — a club he just moved back to this summer after growing up at its youth academy
before moving to RB Salzburg last season — have reportedly agreed to a deal that will be worth an initial fee of €33 million plus add-ons.
All that is left is the final approval to make it happen from the player himself — which doesn’t seem to be much of an issue after Alajbegović spurned interest from Chelsea and other clubs in favor of a move to Juventus.
Like the moves for players not named Randal Kolo Muani so far this summer under the direction of Giovanni Carnevali and now Frederic Massara, this seemingly came out of nowhere. There had been sprinkles of rumors that Juve have interest, but it was nothing like we have seen for some other targets that have been linked with a move to Turin so far this summer.
Then, just after the news of Kolo Muani finally getting his move back to Turin, here comes Alajbegović.
Just a few days after Juventus got the cash for another young Bosnian Tarik Muharemović securing a €40 million move to the Premier League after signing with Leeds United, now Carnevali and Massara are bringing in Alajbegović, who will be turning 19 years old Sept. 21.
It’s quite the move for a Juventus front office that had seen things seemingly slog through the summer. But with Kolo Muani secured and a preseason tour to Hong Kong and Australia quickly approaching, it looks like there’s going to be another new name on the flight to show off to fans upon their arrival. Although this one, unlike Kolo Muani, hasn’t actually worn bianconero prior to this new adventure in Serie A.
