Tottenham join Aston Villa in race for Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic
Tottenham Hotspur are showing concrete interest in Sassuolo's Bosnian international defender Tarik Muharemovic ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports from Italy. The 23-year-old centre-back, who has enjoyed a standout season in Serie A, is expected to be available for a fee in the region of €30 million (£26.2m), with Aston Villa and several Italian clubs also tracking his situation.
Italian publication Tuttosport, cited by Sport Witness, reports that Tottenham are 'vying' for the left-footed defender and that new head coach Roberto de Zerbi has approved a move for a player from his former club. De Zerbi managed Sassuolo between 2018 and 2021, giving him intimate knowledge of the club's structure and players. However, Spurs face significant competition, with Aston Villa described as equally keen and former club Juventus, Inter Milan, and another unnamed Premier League side also maintaining an interest.
Tarik Muharemovic has made 26 league appearances for Sassuolo this season, establishing himself as a consistent and dominant presence in their backline. His performances, including a notably strong display in a recent victory over Cagliari, have propelled him onto the radar of several top European clubs. Sassuolo signed him from Juventus last summer for just €5 million (£4.4m) after an initial loan, meaning a sale near the reported €30m valuation would represent a significant profit for the Italian side.
The pursuit of a new central defender aligns with Tottenham's anticipated squad planning. There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of current first-choice pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. Romero's father has publicly discussed a release clause in the Argentine's contract, while van de Ven has been linked with clubs including Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. Securing a promising, left-footed defender like Muharemovic would provide crucial depth and a potential successor.
Further complicating any potential deal is Juventus's involvement. The Bianconeri retained a 50% sell-on clause when Muharemovic moved to Sassuolo, a detail confirmed by TEAMtalk sources in December. This clause effectively means Juventus could re-sign the player for a discounted fee, making them a potent threat in any bidding war. For Tottenham and Aston Villa, convincing the player to choose the Premier League over a return to a Serie A giant would be a key challenge.
Ultimately, Tottenham's ability to secure such a transfer may be influenced by their final league position and whether they can offer European football next season. The club's interest signals a proactive approach to reinforcing their defensive options under De Zerbi, but they are entering a crowded and complex market for one of Italy's most in-form defenders.
