Key Points
- Leeds United are close to finalizing a £34 million deal for 23-year-old left-sided centre-back Tarik Muharemović from Italian club Sassuolo.
- Personal terms have been completely agreed with the Bosnia and Herzegovina international.
- The defender is flying to England today to undergo his formal medical examination ahead of the official announcement.
- Former club Juventus will receive roughly half of the transfer fee due to an existing sell-on clause.
- Muharemović is planned to step into the squad as the direct replacement for Pascal Struijk, who recently departed for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) July 17, 2026 – Leeds United are closing in on their second summer addition at Elland Road, moving swiftly to secure left-sided centre-back Tarik Muharemović as a direct replacement for the departed Pascal Struijk.
Is Tarik Muharemović signing for Leeds United?
As reported by Sky Sports News, Leeds United have reached a total agreement with Italian club Sassuolo and have successfully agreed personal terms with Tarik Muharemović.
The 23-year-old Bosnia & Herzegovina international is scheduled to fly to England today to undergo his medical examination.
If the remaining formal paperwork is finished on schedule, the transfer could be finalized before the Leeds United first-team squad departs for their pre-season tour of the United States on Tuesday.
According to reports from yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, negotiations progressed significantly in Italy on Tuesday evening, where the outline of the financial package was established. Since then, Leeds United officials have worked continuously to wrap up the contract details with the player’s representation.
How much will the Tarik Muharemović transfer cost?
The transfer package is valued at up to £34 million (approximately €40 million). As disclosed in a report by the editorial staff at karlobag.eu, a significant portion of this transfer fee will not remain with Sassuolo. Juventus, the player’s former club, are poised to collect half of the total transfer windfall owing to a 50% sell-on clause negotiated during his previous move to Sassuolo.
This sell-on trigger ensures a substantial profit for the Turin-based club as the final administrative stages of the deal are executed.
Why did Leeds United move for the Sassuolo defender?
The acquisition became a priority for manager Daniel Farke following a vacancy in the central defense. According to reports from Leeds Live, Muharemović is viewed explicitly as the replacement for central defender Pascal Struijk, who recently left Elland Road to join Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Standing at 1.92 metres tall, Muharemović offers a youthful profile with high top-tier experience. He featured in 32 out of 38 Serie A fixtures for Sassuolo last season as they secured an 11th-place finish, following a campaign where he aided them in earning promotion to the Italian top flight.
As noted by the Leeds Live sports desk, the club management believes the 23-year-old can provide long-term stability and potentially reach a higher development peak than his predecessor. The transfer marks the second arrival of the summer window for Leeds, following the addition of winger Harry Wilson on a free transfer.
Background of the particular development
The need for defensive reinforcement at Elland Road was accelerated by Brighton & Hove Albion’s successful pursuit of Pascal Struijk. Struijk had been a cornerstone of the Leeds backline, meaning his departure left an immediate void on the left side of the central defense.
Muharemović has been tracked by several high-profile European teams over the past twelve months. Transfermarkt data indicates that clubs including Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe, and Aston Villa had registered previous scouting interest in the Bosnian defender.
His performance metrics during Sassuolo’s Serie A campaign, combined with his physical profile and international appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina, elevated his market value to the €25 million mark prior to the opening of the summer transfer window.
Leeds United’s ownership group, 49ers Enterprises, opted to submit a bid that substantially exceeded initial valuation models to beat out competing European interest and secure Farke’s primary defensive target.
Prediction
The arrival of Tarik Muharemović is expected to directly impact the Leeds United first-team squad and the club’s tactical approach ahead of the 2026–27 Premier League season.
For the Elland Road support, this £34 million investment signals strong financial backing from ownership to replace departing stars with high-potential talent rather than short-term fixes.
Tactically, Muharemović’s role as a natural left-sided centre-back will allow Daniel Farke to maintain defensive balance without forcing right-footed defenders out of position.
His inclusion will alter the defensive dynamic alongside Joe Rodon, potentially creating a faster, more physically imposing central pairing. For the wider squad, finalizing a marquee signing before the pre-season tour of the United States ensures that the defensive unit has vital weeks to build chemistry before their opening Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest on August 22.
