Leeds United
Nuno Espirito Santo Credit: Imago
Leeds United took another significant step towards completing their second signing of the summer on Tuesday after agreeing a deal with Sassuolo for defender Tarik Muharemovic.
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The 23-year-old has been identified as Daniel Farke’s top choice to replace Pascal Struijk, who joined Brighton earlier in the transfer window.
With the two clubs now settled on a £34m fee and personal terms already agreed, Muharemovic is expected to complete the remaining formalities before his move is officially confirmed.
But Leeds are showing no signs of slowing down. Even as they close in on Muharemovic’s arrival, the club have already shifted their focus to signing another centre-back before the transfer window shuts.
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West Ham star wants transfer amid Leeds United interest
The Hammers are looking to hold on to most of their best players despite suffering relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season.
However, Mateus Fernandes has already left to join Tottenham in a deal worth £85, and Crysencio Summerville is expected to move on amid interest from Manchester United.
A few more West Ham stars are angling for a move, and one of them has attracted interest from Leeds.
According to Football Insider, West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is pushing to leave the London Stadium this summer.
Leeds United have registered an interest in the Greek defender, and he could be the second centre-back they sign ahead of the end of the window.
He wants to continue playing in the Premier League and is keen to leave West Ham amid interest from Leeds.
Mavropanos, who stood out in a poor West Ham team last season, does not see himself as a Championship player and wants to continue playing at the highest level.
West Ham are expecting offers for the defender in the coming weeks despite wanting to hold on to him.
Why Konstantinos Mavropanos could be a good signing for Leeds?
Leeds need another centre-back this summer as they are likely to sell Sebastiaan Bornauw before the end of the ongoing transfer window.
Daniel Farke would not want to weaken his defensive options, and despite the impending arrival of Muharemovic, he would want one more centre-back.
A move for Konstantinos Mavropanos would make sense if West Ham are prepared to sell him for a sensible price this summer.
Muharemovic may need some time to adapt his game for the Premier League and get acclimatised, so signing a Premier League-proven defender could be the right move.
Bringing in another centre-back from outside England would be too much of a risk, and Mavropanos could offer them an immediate solution at the start of next season.