Why Inter’s stance on Tarik Muharemović can spark Tottenham transfer | OneFootball

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemović looks likely to move to English this summer, prompting suitors Inter to look elsewhere.

The Nerazzurri are keen to rebuild their back line ahead of next season. Veteran defenders Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian are leaving, while Stefan de Vrij is also likely to depart San Siro in the coming weeks.

One positive for Inter is the strong likelihood of star defender Alessandro Bastoni staying at the club. The 27-year-old has long been in Barcelona’s cross hairs, but the Blaugrana’s recent big-money pursuit of Anthony Gordon and Julián Alvarez means it’s unlikely they’ll have the funds to move for Bastoni, with Inter chairman and CEO Beppe Marotta having also confirmed that the Italy international has not pushed for a move.

Coming back to Muharemović, the young Bosnian centre-back has garnered many admirers during the Neroverdi’s first season back in Serie A, which has ended in a comfortable mid-table finish. Alongside Inter, Juventus were also looking to bring him back, with the 23-year-old having been part of their reserve squad, Juve Next Gen. Tottenham Hotspur have also been keeping tabs on him, and Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali recently revealed that he was in London to discuss a possible Premier League move for his prized centre-back.

Having ensured Premier League survival, the Lilywhites are now in pole position to land Muharemović, whose contract — with a gross annual salary of €740,000 — runs until June 2031. Sassuolo have made it clear they’ll sell Muharemović on their own terms, and while a €30m price tag is mooted, a strong campaign with Bosnia & Herzegovina at the imminent World Cup could push that price up higher.

So Inter are looking elsewhere. Among the names of defenders linked with them are Udinese’s Oumar Solet, Roma’s Evan Ndicka and Manu Koné, and Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí.

Inter will be fine

Inter have been aware of their defensive dilemma for a while. Going as far back as their humiliation at the hands of PSG in last season’s Champions League final, they have known that their backline needs a revamp.

The Tarik Muharemović saga will likely last a while, what with the World Cup on the horizon, and the Premier League interest in him — especially Spurs’, who are also in need of a defensive overhaul amid potential big-name exits and the clearing of deadwood — means Inter are likely to be priced out; such is the current financial reality of Italian and English football.

Nevertheless, the number and profile of the players linked with them means Inter are well aware of their predicament and have alternatives at the ready should pursuit of any one player fall through. In the long run, they will be fine.

The best news for Inter at the moment, one that will be celebrated almost as one would a new signing, is that Alessandro Bastoni is almost set to remain at the club. Already an Inter stalwart, he’s someone Cristian Chivu will want to rebuild Inter’s defence around.

Anshuman Joshi | GIFN