Who is Tarik Muharemovic? Leeds weigh move for left-sided centre-back after Struijk sale | OneFootball

Leeds United’s hunt for a left-sided centre-back after Pascal Struijk’s £20 million move to Brighton has led them to Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic. According to Fabrizio Romano, Leeds have entered the race, and at present there is nothing beyond initial interest.

Born in Slovenia, he broke through at Austria’s Wolfsberger AC, then joined Juventus in 2021 for their Next Gen team. He spent 2024 on loan at Sassuolo, then in Serie B.

Muharemovic made 28 league appearances in promotion and signed permanently for €5m last year. The 23-year-old stepped up to Serie A, scoring twice in 32 matches as Sassuolo finished 11th.

He represents Bosnia and Herzegovina through his parents, debuting in a 3-0 defeat by England in June 2024. He has 17 caps, including at this summer’s World Cup.

A left-footed centre-back, he usually operates on the left, mostly in a back four but comfortable in a three. At six foot four, he is front footed and physical.

He ranked in the top nine per cent of Serie A defenders for defensive contributions at 10.86 per 90, including 7.05 clearances, above Struijk’s 9.07 for Leeds. His duel success was 64.4 per cent, top 10 per cent, and above Struijk’s 55.6 in the Premier League.

On the ball he averaged 44.86 passes per 90 at 85.7 per cent, below Struijk’s 49.86 at 88.5, and threatened from corners with two goals and 15 shots to Struijk’s 17. If a move develops, he could be like-for-like and, with adaptation, an upgrade.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk