Former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has backed teenage playmaker Kerim Alajbegovic to make a major impact in Turin following his move from Bayer Leverkusen, highlighting his high ceiling under head coach Luciano Spalletti.
The Bianconeri secured the 18-year-old Bosnian talent for a fee of €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses, beating off intense competition from Chelsea and several European rivals. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pjanic revealed that he advised Alajbegovic and his family during negotiations, praising the youngster’s maturity and sharp shooting ability.
Pjanic expressed total conviction that working under Luciano Spalletti’s management will accelerate the playmaker’s development. Having played under Spalletti during his tenure at Roma, the former Bosnian international described the tactician as an extraordinary mentor who excels at getting the best out of creative talent.
He also anticipated an exciting partnership between Alajbegovic and Kenan Yildiz, explaining that high-quality footballers naturally understand one another on the pitch. Pjanic believes Alajbegovic’s versatility across the attacking line provides the coaching staff with valuable tactical flexibility.
The size of Juve’s investment inevitably draws comparisons to the €40 million deal that brought Paulo Dybala to Turin from Palermo in 2015. Pjanic noted that while the outlay is similar, Alajbegovic must remain humble and focus on his personal development without carrying unnecessary pressure.
Reflecting on Alajbegovic’s arrival in Turin following his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, Pjanic urged the teenager to learn Italian quickly and embrace the responsibility that comes with wearing the shirt. The youngster watched his new teammates defeat Chelsea in a Hong Kong pre-season friendly as preparations for the new campaign gather pace.
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