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Manchester United are prepared to lock horns with Chelsea in the red-hot transfer race to sign RB Salzburg attacking starlet Kerim Alajbegovic, according to Sky Sports.
A Rising Star
Alajbegovic, 18, has emerged as one of the standout prospects in Austrian football after joining Salzburg from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
He has already racked up one goal and four assists across 11 league appearances this season, demonstrating the ability to be a difference-maker in the final third.
Born in Germany, and having progressed through FC Köln’s youth system, Alajbegovic joined Leverkusen in 2021, impressing for the Bundesliga heavyweight’s youth sides.
However, the youngster represents Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level, becoming the country’s youngest ever goal scorer after netting in a World Cup qualifier in September.
Standing 6’1, Alajbegovic possesses a frame suited to senior football despite his tender years. His maturity on the ball belies his years and he is positionally versatile, capable of playing through the middle or out wide.
And it’s this combination which will have made him an interesting proposition at Old Trafford, where Ruben Amorim’s system prioritises number tens capable of playing in tight spaces centrally as well as on the wing.
A Target at Old Trafford
Sky Sports reporter Ben Heckner reveals United are “closely monitoring” Alajbegovic after establishing himself as a “breakout star” in Austria.
Tweet: “EXCLUSIVE | Understand FC #Porto, #Manchester United and #Chelsea are closely monitoring the situation of Kerim #Alejbegovic (18) at Red Bull #Salzburg.
The Austrian Bundesliga breakout star is the youngest Bosnian international and goalscorer ever. Bayer Leverkusen have a buy-back clause. @SkySportDE”
But the Red Devils are joined by Premier League rival Chelsea in the hunt for the talented youngster, as well as Portuguese side Porto.
United hold a trump card in their hand, however, through recruitment director Christopher Vivell, who has extensive experience working in the Red Bull sports operation, for both Leipzig and Salzburg.
United’s interest in Alajbegovic will be driven by Vivell – and their ability to successfully close a deal for the 18-year-old attacker will likely come down to the executive’s influence as well.
