{"id":21485,"date":"2026-07-26T09:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T09:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=21485"},"modified":"2026-07-26T09:15:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T09:15:34","slug":"chelsea-are-set-to-seal-their-most-underrated-deal-of-the-summer-for-just-36m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=21485","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea are set to seal their most-underrated deal of the summer for just \u00a336m"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Chelsea have been busy this summer. Five new signings were sealed before Xabi Alonso\u2019s arrival, and three more are confirmed, with Maxence Lacroix possibly announced on Sunday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emmanuel Emegha has made a solid start, scoring in both of Chelsea\u2019s behind-closed-doors friendlies. But injury has struck, and the same goes for Geovany Quenda. Dastan Satpayev is on Chelsea\u2019s tour.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and now Pedro Neto! Why do our Premier League rivals always want to sign players not rated by the fan base? What aren\u2019t we seeing? \ud83d\ude35\u200d\ud83d\udcab<\/h3>\n

Enzo Maresca is reportedly eyeing a reunion with Neto at Man City<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"Pedro<\/div>
Photo by Shaun Brooks \u2013 CameraSport via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Left-back Denner is also said to have arrived but will begin life with the U21s, as will the club\u2019s latest new signing, Harrison Bettoni. Valentin Barco is yet to be announced, but the Argentine has joined Chelsea.<\/p>\n

This weekend, there is every chance that Chelsea will announce the arrival of Maxence Lacroix despite Xabi Alonso\u2019s men jetting off to Australia. Now, a tenth possible signing is close to being confirmed.<\/p>\n

Chelsea close in on brilliant Kerim Alajbegovic transfer<\/h2>\n

With the five additions made before Alonso\u2019s tenure, the three since he became manager, and Lacroix set to arrive as the fourth, Kerim Alajbegovic looks more than likely to be announced as his fourth.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Kerim<\/div>
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It sees Chelsea raid Alonso\u2019s old side Bayer Leverkusen for one of Europe\u2019s most exciting talents, and yet, Nicolo Schira reports Chelsea could do a deal for as little as \u00a336m to sign the Bosnian wonderkid.<\/p>\n

\u201cKerim Alajbegovic has agreed personal terms for a contract until 2033 with Chelsea, which are now ready to close the deal from Bayer Leverkusen for \u20ac42M (\u00a336m) \u2013 bonuses included,\u201d Schira reported on X.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a brilliant deal. This is not a teenage talent impressing in a lesser league, this is a wonderkid scoring goals in the Bundesliga and at the World Cup. A long-range shooting ability expected of an elder player.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Kerim<\/div>
Photo by Fabio Deinert\/Getty Images for DFB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To get Alajbegovic, especially given the backlash Leverkusen may receive for selling to their old gaffer, is sensational business. Of all the work Chelsea have done this summer, Alajbegovic could be the best.<\/p>\n

Chelsea needed a happy back-up to Cole Palmer<\/h2>\n

It will be interesting to see what Alonso does with Alajbegovic. Could he allow him to return on loan to Leverkusen this summer? Chelsea and BlueCo have often signed young players and sent them on loan.<\/p>\n

Mike Penders, for example, returns this summer. Andrey Santos, Mamadou Sarr and plenty of current Chelsea stars have followed that model. It would see Alajbegovic continue his development in Germany.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
<\/header>\n
\n
\n
\n

How do you rate each of Chelsea\u2019s new signings 1\ufe0f\u20e3-\ud83d\udd1f?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\"Chelsea's<\/div>
Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

But such is the quality of this deal, Alajbegovic is good enough to make an impact immediately in West London. But he is needed, too. Cole Palmer struggled with injury during the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

Palmer finished second in the summer bleep test and looks fit. But if he does struggle to remain injury free, the Blues need a back-up no.10 that is willing to sit on the bench. Morgan Rogers is simply not that.<\/p>\n

Indeed, Chelsea have pitched the left-wing role to Rogers, and he will start regardless. Alajbegovic, given his age, will be happy to play second fiddle to Palmer initially. The deal is brilliant, even underrated.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n