Chelsea set sights on World Cup record-breaker who could replace Alejandro Garnacho

Chelsea are pushing to sign a winger who broke a record at this year's World Cup as Xabi Alonso's rebuild looks set to continue.

Alonso officially joined Chelsea on July 1 after being sacked by Real Madrid in January.

The Spaniard inherited a squad at Stamford Bridge that was low on confidence following a dismal 2025/26 campaign that saw them go trophyless and finish 10th in the Premier League.

A summer rebuild has since begun, with Chelsea confirming five new arrivals to West London, including Geovany Quenda, Denner, Dastan Satpaev, Emmanuel Emegha and Marco Palestra.

Deals for the first four were agreed before the 44-year-old joined, with defender Palestra becoming the first addition sanctioned by Alonso, arriving for £44million from Atalanta.

The 21-year-old, who can play at full-back or wing-back on either flank, will offer much-needed versatility to Alonso's system following Marc Cucurella's departure to Real Madrid.

Known for buying some of Europe's most exciting prospects, the Blues are already in the market for another youngster, and this time they're looking to address their attack.

According to Faktor, Alonso is targeting Bayer Leverkusen starlet Kerim Alajbegovic, the 18-year-old winger who lit up the World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The teenager wrote his name into the competition's history when his incredible strike against Qatar made him the youngest player to score from outside the penalty area since detailed data collection began in 1966.

Alajbegovic was selected for the World Cup after a standout campaign at Red Bull Salzburg, where he produced nine goals and three assists in the Austrian Bundesliga.

He moved to Salzburg before rejoining Leverkusen in March after they triggered a buyback clause in his contract.

A product of the Leverkusen academy, Alajbegovic once trained with Alonso’s first team in Germany and even featured in a few matchday squads but never made his professional debut.

Now, the Spaniard is pushing to sign the teenage sensation, and it has already become clear who he could replace in Chelsea's squad.

READ MORE: Chelsea considering sale of player they only signed this month as Xabi Alonso clearout continues

Kerim Alajbegovic could replace Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea

Alejandro Garnacho is edging closer to the exit door at Stamford Bridge after enduring a torrid time since completing a £40m move from Manchester United last summer.

The 22-year-old only scored eight times in 43 appearances for the Blues last term, with Alonso confirming that Garnacho isn't part of his plans in his first press conference.

"We have spoken to the sporting director, and there's interest from another club, so let's see how it develops," he said.

“I hope it finishes in the best possible way for all parties.”

Roma are currently the leading contenders to sign Garnacho and have proposed a loan move, costing €5m, while including an obligation to buy for €35m if certain conditions are met.

Chelsea reportedly want around £43 million for their winger and would prefer a permanent sale.

Should they manage to get the Argentine off their books, then Alonso clearly sees Alajbegovic as the ideal replacement, as he aims to assemble a squad for not just the present, but the future too.