Leeds United are expected to complete the signing of Sunderland-linked Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemović in a deal worth around £34million
Sunderland look set to miss out on Tarik Muharemović, with Leeds United closing in on a €40million agreement for the Sassuolo centre-back.
Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Muharemović is set to join Leeds, with the final details of the move now being ironed out. Fabrizio Romano has also indicated that the agreement is close to being confirmed with his trademark "here we go" post on social media. The 23-year-old had attracted interest from Sunderland and Bournemouth, but Leeds are understood to have offered both the highest transfer fee and the strongest salary package.
The deal is expected to be worth approximately £34million. Sassuolo will receive around half of that amount, with Juventus entitled to the remaining 50 per cent through a sell-on agreement negotiated when Muharemović left Turin. Sunderland’s interest was understood to be genuine, but Leeds had a greater and more immediate need to strengthen at centre-back following Pascal Struijk’s departure.
That urgency appears to have been reflected in their willingness to commit such a significant transfer fee and offer the most attractive personal terms, despite Sunderland being able to provide Europa League football next season. The Black Cats are also operating from a slightly different position. Régis Le Bris already has several senior central defenders available, meaning Sunderland could afford to remain disciplined rather than matching a package worth more than £30million.
Muharemović had emerged as one of the defensive options under consideration as Sunderland looked to improve their squad ahead of a campaign combining Premier League and European football. However, the reported price represents a substantial investment, particularly given Juventus’ sell-on clause forced Sassuolo to demand a significant overall package to generate the return they wanted.
Leeds have now moved decisively and are expected to finalise the remaining details before Muharemović completes his switch to Elland Road. Sunderland, meanwhile, will continue assessing alternative defensive targets as they look to add quality without departing from the financial approach that has underpinned their recent recruitment.
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