The following is a Scouting Report from Vicenç Clos Balcells – you can find him on X and Instagram.
In recent years, Juventus have fallen short of the standards their history demands. The club last won the Serie A title in 2020 and has endured several disappointing European campaigns. Determined to reverse this decline and re-establish themselves as the dominant force in Italian football again, Juventus have signed Kerim Alajbegović.
The Bosnian winger needed just one season in professional football to announce himself as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. He joined Bayer Leverkusen from Köln in 2021, following the same pathway as Florian Wirtz. After spending four years developing in Leverkusen’s academy, Salzburg moved quickly to secure his signature for just €2 million.
Bayer Leverkusen accepted his departure, but the club knew they were letting go of a player with immense potential. As a result, they included an €8 million buy-back clause in the deal, which they activated before the end of the 2025/26 season. By then, the left winger had established himself as one of the breakout stars of the campaign, scoring 13 goals in 44 appearances, in 30 starts, despite being only 18 years old. He also showcased his ability in every appearance and almost every touch of the ball. He even left his mark in the Europa League.
Ironically, one of Bayer Leverkusen’s biggest sales has never made a single senior appearance for the club.
A World Cup That Confirmed His Talent
He also played a key role in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Although he started most matches on the bench, he consistently made an impact with his energy, dribbling and ability to change games. Against Italy, for example, his introduction proved decisive. With the Italians sitting deep in a compact defensive block, Alajbegović’s technical and creative qualities and willingness to take on defenders helped Bosnia break them down and create the openings they had been missing.
On the biggest stage of all, the World Cup, Kerim Alajbegović lived up to expectations with a series of impressive performances. Despite playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who spent long periods defending deep and away from the opposition’s penalty area, he consistently showcased his talent through his ball-carrying ability and dribbling.
Against Qatar, when Bosnia enjoyed more possession in the attacking third, Alajbegović underlined his immense potential by scoring a stunning long-range goal from outside the box. Striking the ball from distance is one of his standout qualities, and he had already demonstrated it during his time at Salzburg, where he scored several spectacular goals from this position.
A New Challenge in Turin
After those performances, Kerim Alajbegović earned a high-profile move to Juventus. Despite the club not being at its historical best in recent years, it remains one of the most attractive destinations in world football for young talents looking to take the next step in their careers.
Kerim Alajbegović is at his best when operating from the left wing. From that position, he can cut inside onto his stronger right foot, creating shooting opportunities or combining with teammates in the final third. It is in this role that he is able to maximise his technical quality, creativity and goalscoring threat.
However, at Juventus, that position already belongs to Kenan Yıldız. The Turkish international is the cornerstone of the club’s project. As a result, Alajbegović will have to adapt to a different role or earn his place by competing with one of Juventus’s most important players.
The arrival of the Bosnian wonderkid could also lead to Kenan Yıldız spending more minutes in a central role, operating as a number 10 behind the striker. Last season, he featured there on several occasions and looked very comfortable, benefiting from the freedom to roam and influence the game between the lines. Alajbegović could also be deployed on the right wing, but that would limit some of his greatest strengths.
What Should Juventus Fans Expect From Him?
It is clear that Kerim Alajbegović is one of the brightest young prospects in European football. The level he has reached with both Salzburg and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team at just 18 years of age is exceptional and places him among the most exciting talents of his generation.
The step up to Juventus is a significant one. The expectations and pressure to perform are far greater than at any of his previous clubs — especially for a player who arrives with such a high reputation. Supporters will expect him to make an immediate impact, and every one of his performances will be scrutinised.
It remains to be seen what role he will play at Juventus. His preferred position on the left wing is already occupied by Kenan Yıldız, the leader of the club’s project. Initially, Alajbegović could be used in a role similar to the one he plays for Bosnia and Herzegovina — coming off the bench in the second half to change the game with his energy, personality and outstanding one-on-one ability.
Juventus have not only signed a player for the present, but one who has the potential to become one of the faces of their next generation.
