Sunderland have emerged as frontrunners to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, with Leeds United entering the race more recently, according to reports. The 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Bournemouth and Leeds, as they seek to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new season.
Leeds are actively searching for a new centre-back following the departure of Pascal Struijk to Brighton and Hove Albion this summer. Manager Daniel Farke has reportedly identified several targets, including Danilho Doekhi, Nico Elvedi, and Ladislav Krejci, but has now added Muharemovic to that list. Fabrizio Romano reported on July 11th that Leeds have entered “the race” for the Sassuolo defender, noting Juventus hold a 50% sell-on clause.
However, Sunderland appear to be further along in their pursuit of Muharemovic. Italian journalist Luca Cerchione claims the Black Cats have already offered the player a five-year contract worth €3.5 million net per season. Sunderland are expected to submit an official bid to Sassuolo in the coming days to initiate formal negotiations. Lucas Cilli also confirmed Sunderland’s concrete interest in the player.
Muharemovic has established himself as a regular in the Sassuolo squad, making a significant number of appearances in Serie A over the past few seasons. He offers a combination of physicality and technical ability, making him an attractive prospect for Premier League clubs. The competition for his signature is likely to drive up his transfer fee, but Sunderland’s proactive approach could give them an advantage in securing his services.
The addition of Muharemovic would provide a much-needed boost to Sunderland’s defensive line, while for Leeds, missing out on the Bosnian could force them to reassess their centre-back options before the transfer window closes. Securing a quality central defender is a priority for both clubs as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
