Leeds have joined the race for Tarik Muharemović, but this is already a messy market. Sunderland have gone furthest, Bournemouth and Newcastle have also been in contact, and Sassuolo’s valuation is climbing into uncomfortable territory. Romano said Leeds have entered the chase, while Sunderland have already put real work into theirs.

Sunderland’s head start

Fabrizio Romano said Bournemouth and Sunderland had called over recent weeks, with Juventus still needing to decide because they retain a 50% sell-on clause. That alone makes the deal awkward. It also means any bid has to work for more than one club before it even reaches Sassuolo's table.

Luca Cerchione reported that Sunderland have already put a five-year contract worth €3.5 million net per season on the table and plan to present an official offer next week. That puts them ahead of Leeds, who are only now arriving to the race. On current evidence, Sunderland look closest to setting the terms.

Why the race is getting harder

The valuation is the main problem. Reports cited by multiple outlets put Sassuolo’s asking price at €40 million, which is a serious number for a defender who is attracting several clubs at once. Leeds are not short of need, but they are entering a market where the asking price and the sell-on clause both push the final bill up.

Muharemovic’s World Cup record also helps explain why the interest has widened. He made 3 appearances for Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup and logged 272 minutes across those games. Those are not cameo numbers. They suggest a player clubs already trust in competitive football, which is why Bologna's Jhon Lucumí is being discussed as an alternative in the wider market, with a 6.94 season rating attached to his 2026 campaign.

Leeds can still stay involved, but they have come into a race where Sunderland have the head start, Bournemouth and Newcastle have already checked in, and Sassuolo hold a strong negotiating position. The next concrete step is Sunderland’s official offer to Sassuolo next week.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →