Arsenal must be tired of Chelsea going after the same players they are targeting.
It all started with Mykhaylo Mudryk a few years ago, and since then, the Blues have signed players like Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato, among others, who were all linked with moves to Arsenal.
In this window, Chelsea have already beaten Arsenal to the signing of Morgan Rogers, and they could now do the same with another target: Kerim Alajbegovic.
Be honest: Would you have been happy if Arsenal spent £117m on Morgan Rogers?
Chelsea open talks to sign Kerim Alajbegovic
Arsenal held talks with Alajbegovic’s agents as early as June.
The Gunners have improved their scouting network in recent months following the arrival of Maurizio Micheli, and they have been looking at several players who most people haven’t heard of.
Christos Tzolis is a good example of that, and he has officially joined the Gunners. Bayer Leverkusen’s Alajbegovic was also on the radar for the same reason.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international starred for his country at the World Cup and has become a player in demand.
Arsenal and several other clubs have been interested in signing him, but it looks like Chelsea are making the most serious push.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Blues are in direct contact with Leverkusen over a deal to sign Alajbegovic this summer.
He tweeted: “Chelsea are in contact with Bayer Leverkusen for Kerim Alajbegovic, talks ongoing.
“Understand there’s no £34m bid; talks are at a lower fee at present and Italian clubs are still involved in the race. Alajbegovic is yet to decide his future, with Italian clubs and Chelsea keen.”
Alajbegovic hasn’t even played for Leverkusen’s senior side yet, but if any club would be willing to pay millions for such a player, it’s Chelsea.
Like in the Rogers deal, Arsenal may not stand a chance financially if the Blues continue to push.
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