Italian Serie A club AS Roma is stepping up its efforts to sign Bosnian international Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen.
The capital club has initiated discussions with club representatives and the 18-year-old player’s father, according to Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
Reports suggest that Roma aims to prioritize this transfer, aiming to outmaneuver other top clubs such as SSC Napoli and AC Milan in the race for the player.
The potential transfer fee is estimated to be between 25 and 30 million euros. The attacking player’s salary is expected to start below one million euros annually, with performance-based increases. However, competition is fierce. In addition to Italian suitors, clubs from England and Spain are reportedly monitoring the player, who is currently on loan at Red Bull Salzburg and will return to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. He is under contract with Bayer until 2031. Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund is also said to be interested in signing the 18-year-old.
Alajbegovic previously caught the eye, notably in the World Cup playoff match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy, where the Azzurri missed qualification for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada (June 11 — July 19) after a penalty shootout. Alajbegovic successfully converted the decisive penalty.