Juventus are intensifying their efforts to sign Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, hoping to ward off interest from Premier League clubs, according to reports in Italy. The Turin club’s new sporting director, Giovanni Carnevali, previously worked with Muharemovic during his two years at Sassuolo and is keen to bring the 23-year-old back to the club to bolster Luciano Spalletti’s defensive options.
While Juventus believe they are making progress in convincing Muharemovic to return after a previous spell with the club ended poorly, a significant obstacle remains: the player’s wage demands. Muharemovic, having attracted attention from English teams, is reportedly seeking a salary commensurate with his market value, estimated at around €3-4 million net per season. Juventus are hesitant to meet this figure immediately, proposing a longer-term project where his salary would be increased upon establishing himself as a regular starter.
Carnevali’s move to Juventus has complicated the negotiation, as he previously represented Sassuolo in dealings regarding the player. Juventus retain a 50% stake in any future sale of Muharemovic, having included a sell-on clause when he initially departed for Sassuolo. The club values the player at between €38-40 million. Muharemovic’s time at Juventus previously saw limited opportunities, with the coaching staff advising him to seek playing time elsewhere after a period in the Next Gen squad.
Sassuolo are holding firm on their valuation, and the situation is further complicated by interest from Bournemouth, though Muharemovic reportedly believes he can secure a more lucrative contract in England. Juventus are prepared for the possibility of missing out on Muharemovic and are considering alternative targets, including Jhon Lucumí of Bologna and Leonardo Balerdi of Marseille. Should they fail to agree a deal, Juventus could potentially sell their 50% stake in Muharemovic for around €20 million, reinvesting the funds in other defensive reinforcements. The next seven to ten days are expected to be crucial in determining Muharemovic’s future, with a strong possibility of Premier League intervention.
