Zlatan Ibrahimovic backing shows why Chelsea should accelerate Kerim Alajbegovic move

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's praise of Kerim Alajbegovic has shown exactly why he would be the perfect signing for Chelsea this summer.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is looking to mix up his attacking options this summer as they prepare for a rare season without European football.

Alejandro Garnacho has reportedly been told that he can leave Stamford Bridge this summer, while Morgan Rogers is soon set to join in a club-record £117million move from Aston Villa.

According to a new report from Bosnian outlet Faktor, Chelsea are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen starlet Alajbegovic this summer.

The 18-year-old impressed at the World Cup for Bosnia & Herzegovina and enjoyed a strong 2025-26 campaign at Red Bull Salzburg.

Chelsea have joined Atalanta and several other Serie A sides in the race for his services, with iconic striker Ibrahimovic previously detailing exactly why he would be a smart addition to their ranks.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic praised Kerim Alajbegovic's 'courage' after Bosnia goal

Cologne-born Alajbegovic joined Leverkusen's academy in 2021 and signed his first professional contract with the club in January 2025.

He failed to feature for their first team before joining Salzburg on a permanent deal last summer, which proved to be the making of the 18-year-old left winger.

Alajbegovic registered 13 goals and four assists in 44 matches for the Austrian side last season, with Leverkusen then exercising their buy-back clause in March for this summer.

He earned a place in Bosnia's World Cup squad after some strong performances, and scored his second international goal in their group stage win against Qatar on 24 June.

Ibrahimovic could not hide his admiration for the teenager while speaking on Fox Sports after the match, saying: "Everybody is talking about the goal, but for me the goal is not the biggest thing. The biggest thing is the courage. An 18-year-old in the World Cup, under pressure, with millions watching, and he plays like he owns the stadium. That is rare. Many young players have talent. Talent is everywhere. But talent without personality means nothing.

"When I watched Kerim, I did not see a young player hoping to have a good game. I saw a player who believed he was the best player on the pitch. The finish was beautiful, yes. The technique was perfect, yes. But what impressed me was the confidence before the goal. The way he demanded the ball, the way he attacked the moment. Great players do not wait for opportunities. They create them."

Chelsea fans should certainly be pleased that their club are targeting such a promising player, as one of the best strikers of the 21st century is likely a great judge of quality on the pitch.

Which clubs are after Garnacho as Alajbegovic is eyed as his replacement?

Links to Alajbegovic make a lot of sense for Chelsea, considering that Garnacho is likely to leave the club after an unsuccessful debut campaign.

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Chelsea are trying to force Garnacho out of the club, and they are not set to struggle to find a suitor despite his inconsistent form.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Garnacho is prioritising a move to Roma, with talks ongoing between the two clubs after they offered a loan-to-buy deal.

Aston Villa have also been linked with a move, while the Argentine winger has seemingly rejected the chance to join Fiorentina.