Key Points

• Leeds United have entered the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemović, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
• Sunderland and Bournemouth have also made contact with the Italian club over the 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international in recent weeks.
• Newcastle United have been mentioned among the clubs interested in the defender, though their level of involvement remains less clear.
• Sassuolo are reportedly seeking around €40m for Muharemović, with Juventus retaining a 50% sell-on clause from his previous transfer.
• Italian media suggest Sunderland have tabled a five-year contract offer worth €3.5m net per season to the player, with an official club-to-club offer expected.
• Romano states Leeds are the most confident of securing a deal, having presented a verbal proposal, but no formal bid has been confirmed at this stage.
• Muharemović signed a new contract with Sassuolo in November 2025, tying him to the Serie A side until 2031.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) July 20, 2026 – A multi-club pursuit for Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemović has intensified, with Leeds United, Sunderland and Bournemouth all registered as active suitors for the 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international.

What is the latest on Tarik Muharemović’s transfer situation?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds United have “entered the race” to sign Muharemović as a new centre-back from Sassuolo, with Bournemouth and Sunderland having called the Italian club over recent weeks. Romano, writing on X on 11 July, added:

“Juventus have to decide as they maintain 50% sell-on clause.”

Sky Sport Italia, as reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, say a final decision on Muharemović’s next club is expected “over the next few days”, with Leeds, Bournemouth and Sunderland still in contention.

The Italian outlet also notes Newcastle United have been mentioned in earlier reports, though their position appears less advanced than the other three Premier League-linked sides.

How much is Sassuolo asking for Muharemović?

Sassuolo have set an asking price of around €40m for the defender, conscious that half of any fee will go to Juventus under the sell-on agreement secured when he moved from Turin to the Serie A club.

Previous reports from May 2026 had valued him in the €30–35m range, with Inter Milan said to be close to a deal at one stage before negotiations stalled.

What offers have been made to the player and club?

Italian journalist Luca Cerchione reported on 10 July that Sunderland had put a five-year contract proposal to Muharemović worth €3.5m net per season, with an official offer to Sassuolo expected the following week to begin formal negotiations.

Another Italian reporter, Lucas Cilli, confirmed on 19 July that Sunderland’s interest in the centre-back was “concrete”, echoing earlier claims from TV dello Sport that the Black Cats were among a list of suitors including Bournemouth.

Romano’s update does not indicate a formal Sunderland bid has been submitted at this stage, but it does confirm the club has made contact.

For Leeds, Romano suggests they are the most confident of achieving a deal, having presented a verbal proposal to the player, although this is not guaranteed to result in a transfer.

Who is Tarik Muharemović?

Muharemović is a 23-year-old centre-back who represents Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level and plays for Sassuolo in Serie A.

He signed a new contract with the Italian club in November 2025, extending his stay until the summer of 2031, according to reporting around the transfer interest.

What do the interested clubs hope to gain?

Sunderland, under manager Régis Le Bris, are understood to be seeking another centre-back this summer as they continue to shape their squad.

Bournemouth and Leeds are also looking to strengthen their defensive options, with Muharemović viewed as a potential addition who could offer both Premier League readiness and international experience.

Newcastle’s involvement has been referenced in Italian media, including Corriere dello Sport and Sportitalia, but their level of engagement appears less defined than that of Leeds, Sunderland and Bournemouth.

What are the next steps in the transfer process?

With Sassuolo holding firm on their valuation and Juventus holding a 50% sell-on clause, any deal will require agreement between multiple parties. Di Marzio’s suggestion that a decision is imminent implies that one of the interested clubs may soon move from expression of interest to a formal bid.

For Sunderland, the reported player terms and planned official offer indicate they are preparing to escalate their pursuit. Leeds, meanwhile, are described by Romano as confident but without a confirmed formal approach at this point.

Background of the development

The interest in Tarik Muharemović follows a pattern of Premier League clubs monitoring Serie A-based defenders, particularly those with international caps and long-term contracts.

His situation became more prominent after reports in spring 2026 linked him with Inter Milan, which helped establish a market valuation in the €30–35m range before Sassuolo’s current €40m stance.

Juventus’ 50% sell-on clause adds complexity, as any buying club effectively pays double the net amount received by Sassuolo.

This structure has been cited as a factor in earlier stalled negotiations, including Inter’s reported unwillingness to exceed €25m in cash at one stage.

The emergence of multiple English suitors in July 2026 reflects both Muharemović’s profile and the broader trend of UK-based teams seeking centre-backs with Serie A experience.

Prediction: how this could affect the clubs and player

If Muharemović moves to a Premier League club this summer, the most immediate impact will be on the defensive options of the buying team. For Sunderland, adding a Bosnia and Herzegovina international could accelerate their defensive development under Le Bris, particularly if they secure him ahead of rivals.

For Leeds and Bournemouth, a successful signing would represent a statement of intent in the centre-back market and could influence their early-season defensive stability.

For Muharemović himself, a transfer would mark a step into one of the most physically demanding leagues, with the potential to raise his profile significantly if he adapts quickly.

The presence of multiple suitors also gives him leverage in choosing a project that fits his playing style and career ambitions.

For Sassuolo and Juventus, a sale at or near the €40m mark would validate their valuation and provide substantial funds, with Juventus benefiting directly from their sell-on clause. If the fee is lower, it could reset expectations for similar players in their pipeline and influence future negotiation strategies.