Leeds United could have to part with a hefty sum should they wish to act upon their interest in Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic.
Pascal Struijk's £18m sale to Brighton & Hove Albion has seen centre-back shoot up United's transfer priority list this summer and 17-cap Bosnia & Herzegovenia international Muharemovic - who featured at this summer's World Cup - is one potential replacement Leeds are looking at.
Despite reports in Italy, at the time of writing, United club sources state there has been no advancement beyond mere interest. Contacts close to Sassoulo state the Serie A club are hoping to hold out for around €40million (£34m).
Part of this is fuelled both by former club Juventus being entitled to a 50 per cent of any sale fee, as well as the growing interest in Muharemovic. Juventus have been linked with a return purchase but it is understood their current preference is to reap half of any sale figure.
Leeds admire the 6ft 3in talent but acknowledge that other clubs also are spying Muharemovic, who only signed a five-and-a-half-year renewal with Sassuolo in November.
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Newcastle United, Sunderland and Bournemouth have already enquired, with Sassuolo targeting a Premier League sale. Sources in Italy believe Sassoulo are anticipating a formal move from Leeds before long.
At 23, Muharemovic offers longevity and, like Struijk, is naturally left-footed - something that will appeal to Daniel Farke, who prefers centre-back options who play on the side of their strongest foot. Muharemovic has played in a back four throughout his time at Sassuolo.
Leeds’ spending limits are slightly further squeezed this summer due to the new Squad Cost Ratio regulations that replace the former Profit & Sustainability rules. The club must therefore cut their cloth accordingly with transfer expenditure.
Sassoulo paid around £1.7m for Muharemovic last summer but are expected to push for a high price for their player - be it £34m or slightly lower - given his contract length, combined with the interest in him and Juventus’ sell-on clause.
Muharemovic started three of Bosnia's World Cup games but missed the country's only win, against Qatar, having been sent off against Noah Okafor's Switzerland in the final group stage game.
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