Fabrizio Romano: Leeds United ‘enter the race’ for £34m defender amid Sunderland and Bournemouth contact | OneFootball

Fabrizio Romano reports Leeds United have entered the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemović, with Sunderland and Bournemouth understood to have made contact in recent weeks.

Sunderland want another centre-back for Régis Le Bris this summer and are exploring a move for the 23-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international. There is no suggestion of a formal bid at this stage.

Italian transfer reporter Nicolò Schira claims Sassuolo value Muharemović at around €40million, about £34.1million. He says Sunderland are preparing to open talks over a package worth €35million to €40million, roughly £29.8million to £34.1million.

Schira also reports a proposed contract at €3.5million per year plus bonuses, around £3million annually or about £57,000 a week before bonuses. These figures remain reported rather than confirmed.

Any deal would be complicated by Juventus’ position, since they retained a 50 per cent sell-on clause and would be entitled to half of any fee, potentially strengthening their hand if they tried to bring him back to Turin. Muharemović made 32 appearances for Sassuolo last season, 31 in Serie A, scoring twice. The left-footed defender is under contract until 2031 and is a senior Bosnia and Herzegovina international.

Source: Sunderland Echo