‘Enormous Interest’ – Sporting Director Opens Up On Leeds United Star | OneFootball

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Sassuolo’s sporting director has admitted there was ‘enormous interest’ in Leeds United new boy Tarik Muharemovic, but ultimately the move to Elland Road left all parties delighted.

Bosnia centre-back Muharemovic was linked with a host of clubs this summer, with his displays for Sassuolo and at the World Cup having generated interest.

Sassuolo were open to a sale for the right price and Muharemovic eventually ended up at Leeds, with the Premier League side forking out a substantial €34m.

Juventus were entitled to bank 50 per cent of the fee due to a sell-on clause they negotiated with Sassuolo, meaning a welcome cash influx for the Bianconeri.

Sassuolo sporting director Francesco Palmieri insists that there was huge interest in Muharemovic this summer.

He is though pleased to have achieved an outcome which left all parties delighted, while expressing his pride at Muharemovic now having the chance to play in the Premier League.

Palmieri was quoted as saying by Italian outlet FcInterNews: “There was enormous interest from several clubs, and then one emerged that genuinely wanted the player, and this great deal was completed.

“It made the lad happy and, really, made everyone happy because for us it’s also a source of enormous pride and satisfaction to sell one of our players for a significant fee, while also giving him the opportunity to play in the Premier League, which is the dream of many footballers.”

Muharemovic has already made a positive impression during his early weeks at Leeds.

The Bosnian’s comfortable nature on the ball stood out for one of his Leeds team-mates, who hailed Muharemovic after a pre-season friendly.

Muharemovic will be looking to make sure he is in the team for Leeds’ Premier League opener and then nails down his spot.

Leeds could yet sign another centre-back this summer, with Sebastiaan Bornauw now being looked at by Hamburg and the defender likely to be attracted by the idea of playing regular football in the Bundesliga.