Transfer rumours linking Bosnian wonderkid Kerim Alajbegovic to some of Europe’s biggest clubs have been bubbling away in recent weeks and on Thursday he turned up the noise with a stunning record-breaking goal against Qatar.
While the game’s huge names have made an impact with multiple goals, the 18-year-old showed he belongs in the next wave of stellar talents by breaking a record of France ace Kylian Mbappe in Bosnia’s 3-1 win over Qatar.
Alajbegovic impressed alongside 40-year-old Edin Dzeko, who smashed his water botte to the ground in anger when replaced in the second half having just missed an opportunity to increase his teams lead in his 150th appearance.
The pair embraced on the pitch at the end of the game before Dzeko, with a huge smile on his face, did the rounds of excited Bosnian supporters.
“He played a part today, Edin Dzeko, leads from the front, wearing the armband, a real focal point and top man in Bosnian football but there’s plenty to like with some of the youngsters. Kerim Alajbegovic I’ve really enjoyed watching today,” said former Ireland international Matt Holland on the SBS coverage.
The result means the world should get to see more of Alajbegovic with Bosnia likely heading to the round of 32. With four points on the board they are currently projected to meet the host United States in the the next stage. Qatar were eliminated.
Running across the top of the Qatari penalty area in the 29th minute, he held off several challenges before unleashing a shot into the top corner.
His goal made him the youngest Bosnian to score at a World Cup, while Opta revealed his strike set an unusual mark, making him, at 18 years and 276 days, the youngest player to score a goal from outside the penalty area at a FIFA World Cup since detailed data recording began in 1966.
In doing so, he displaced Mbappe (19 years and 207 days at the 2018 World Cup) from the record books.
The youngster almost added a second from range in the second half before Bosnia moved into a 3-1 lead.
“I didn’t think much, the ball landed nicely on me. I think it was a good goal,” said Alajbegovic. “We started the game well, we fell a little bit, but we played a phenomenal first half. It was hot afterwards but we came out well at the end.”
Earlier this week, the Daily Mail linked Alajbegovic to Newcastle as a potential replacement for Barcelona-bound Anthony Gordon on the left flank, reporting that he had been offered to the Magpies.
Alajbegovic is a versatile, two-footed attacker who is primarily deployed as a left winger but can also play as a No.10 or off the right.
The Mail said a number of clubs in Italy are courting him, while Arsenal, Aston Villa and Leeds have also shown interest.
Sunderland are another club who have been linked with the youngster.
It was suggested Newcastle were not interested, “as it stands”, but his impressive all-round display might have changed some minds.
Serie A is looming as a more likely destination. Atalanta are set to earn a significant amount from the sale of Marco Palestra and are now prepared to push for the Bayer Leverkusen starlet, according to reports.
Roma have also been mentioned in dispatches.
Alajbegovic was born in Cologne to Bosnian parents and came through the youth systems of FC Köln and Bayer Leverkusen, where he was quickly identified as one of Germany’s brightest prospects.
Despite being named in Bundesliga and Champions League matchday squads under Xabi Alonso, Alajbegovic never made a senior appearance for Leverkusen before making a surprise move to Red Bull Salzburg in 2025.
He scored on his competitive debut, followed that with a goal and assist in his first Austrian Bundesliga start, and never looked back.
Alajbegovic enjoyed a breakout season in Austria, registering 17 goals and assists in 44 appearances across all competitions while establishing himself as a regular starter.
Leverkusen moved quickly to activate a buy-back clause less than a year after selling him and are expected to sell him again during this transfer window.
A technically gifted winger who can play across the front line, Alajbegovic combines pace, creativity and an eye for goal.
At international level, Bosnia moved swiftly to secure his future, promoting him through the national team ranks from Under-15 to senior level. He repaid that faith during a historic World Cup qualification campaign, assisting veteran striker Dzeko for a crucial equaliser against Wales before converting the winning penalty in the shootout. He then repeated the feat against Italy as Bosnia secured one of the biggest results in the country’s football history.
His emergence has given Bosnia a genuine attacking weapon alongside the 40-year-old Dzeko, and he was not even born when the Bosnian legend made his international debut in 2007.
