Tarik Muharemović close to Leeds transfer: €40 million deal brings Juventus a major profit as well
Tarik Muharemović is on the verge of the biggest transfer of his career so far. According to reports published by Italian and British media ahead of 16 July 2026, Leeds United and Sassuolo have reached an agreement on the transfer of the Bosnia and Herzegovina international worth approximately €40 million. The deal has not yet been officially confirmed through Leeds' club channels, and its completion is expected to depend on a medical examination, the agreement of personal terms and the finalisation of contractual documentation. For that reason, Muharemović's arrival at Elland Road can currently be described as a transfer in its final stages rather than a formally completed deal. If all remaining procedures are completed without complications, the 23-year-old centre-back is expected to make a major step from Italy's Serie A to the English Premier League.
The amount mentioned in the reports makes this deal particularly significant for all parties involved. For Leeds, Muharemović would represent one of the largest investments in the club's history and a clear indication of its intention to further stabilise the team after its return season in the Premier League. Sassuolo would achieve an exceptionally large return on a player it purchased from Juventus a year earlier for a fraction of that amount. Juventus, although it no longer owns his contract, is expected to receive half of the fee thanks to a clause agreed when the player was sold. For the player himself, the transfer would represent a move to the financially most powerful domestic league and the beginning of a new stage in his career following his rapid rise in Italy.
Agreement between the clubs still awaiting formal confirmation
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juventus is expected to collect around €19 million on the basis of the future-sale clause, while other sources mention approximately €20 million, or half of the total €40 million transfer fee. The difference between the estimates may depend on the final structure of the deal, bonuses and the method used to calculate the amount relevant to the clause. British media are simultaneously reporting that Muharemović is due to travel to England for a medical examination and final talks regarding personal terms. Until those steps have been completed and the contract registered, there remains a possibility that certain details could change, although several sources describe the negotiations as highly advanced.
As of 16 July, Leeds' official website had not published confirmation of Muharemović's signing. This is an important distinction from formulations suggesting that the transfer has already been completed, because clubs generally announce deals only after the medical examination, the signing of documents and the conclusion of administrative procedures. Nevertheless, the available information indicates that Leeds and Sassuolo have agreed on the basic financial framework. Transfermarkt states that the centre-back is expected to sign a contract until 2031, but the length of the agreement has also not yet been confirmed in an official announcement by the English club. At this moment, the most accurate description is that of an agreed transfer awaiting the final formalities.
The value of approximately €40 million corresponds to around £34 million, depending on the exchange rate and final terms. Such a fee would place Muharemović among the most expensive players Leeds have signed. Transfermarkt describes him as potentially the second-most expensive signing in the club's history, although his final position on that list will depend on the officially reported fixed amount and any possible bonuses. For a defender born on 28 February 2003 who only recently turned 23, this represents an extremely high level of market recognition. It reflects his age, his status as a left-footed centre-back, his experience in Italian football and his growing role with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
Leeds looking for Pascal Struijk's successor
The arrival of a new central defender fits the current needs of Daniel Farke's team. On 30 June, Leeds officially confirmed Pascal Struijk's departure to Brighton & Hove Albion, with the transfer fee remaining undisclosed. Struijk was an important left-footed centre-back, and his departure created a gap that the management must fill before the start of the 2026/27 season. Due to his physical characteristics, dominant left foot and experience of playing in defence, Muharemović stands out as a logical solution for that position. However, he would be expected to adapt quickly to the intensity of the Premier League, its different match tempo and the greater number of direct duels.
Leeds finished the 2025/26 Premier League season in 14th place with 47 points, according to the competition's official data. The team conceded 56 goals in 38 rounds, meaning that further investment in the defence also has a clear sporting rationale. At the beginning of July, the club had already signed Wales international Harry Wilson following the expiry of his contract with Fulham, while Muharemović is expected, according to British reports, to become the second major summer signing. This sequence of moves shows that Leeds do not merely want to replace departing players but also to increase the depth of the squad ahead of a demanding second consecutive season in the top tier of English football. It is particularly important that this is a player who, considering his age, could also possess long-term development and market value.
The schedule further increases the need to complete transfers as early as possible. According to the official club schedule, Leeds will open the new league season on 22 August 2026 with an away match against Nottingham Forest. Before that, the team faces a series of pre-season matches, including a tour of the United States of America. If the deal is completed quickly, Muharemović could have several weeks to get to know his teammates and the tactical demands of the coaching staff. Any longer delay would reduce the time available for adaptation before the beginning of competitive commitments.
From Juventus' development team to a key role at Sassuolo
Muharemović's rise was not immediate. The Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina states that he was born in Ljubljana, is 192 centimetres tall and played for Klagenfurt, Wolfsberger AC and Juventus before joining Sassuolo. He arrived in Turin as a development project and spent most of his Italian period with Juventus Next Gen, a team that enables young players to gain senior experience in the lower professional divisions. In September 2023, Juventus extended his contract until the summer of 2026, which was presented at the time as a sign of confidence in his potential. However, the path to regular playing time in the first team was blocked by strong competition, so a loan move proved crucial for his further development.
On 28 August 2024, Juventus officially announced that Muharemović would join Sassuolo on loan until 30 June 2025. At the time, the club from Emilia-Romagna was competing in Serie B and attempting to return immediately to the Italian top flight. The young defender gradually became an important part of the team, while Juventus highlighted his performances during the season, including matches in which he recorded a high number of duels won and defensive interventions. Sassuolo secured promotion to Serie A, which, according to reports at the time, activated the conditions for a permanent transfer. The media reported that the fee amounted to around €5 million and that Juventus retained the right to 50 per cent of the value of any future sale.
That clause is now the central financial element of the deal with Leeds. If the total fee does indeed amount to €40 million, Sassuolo and Juventus would divide most of the sum roughly equally, with possible adjustments depending on bonuses and contractual definitions. For Sassuolo, this would still represent a very large profit within a short period, while Juventus would receive an amount comparable to the cost of a significant summer signing without bringing the player back. The model demonstrates why clubs often retain a percentage of the next transfer when selling young footballers. In Muharemović's case, his development away from Turin multiplied his value, and Juventus would participate in that growth thanks to the earlier agreement.
Serie A season increased his market value
Following Sassuolo's promotion, Muharemović was given the opportunity to prove himself in Serie A during the 2025/26 season. British sources state that he made 32 league appearances and helped the team finish the season in 11th place. Regular playing time in one of Europe's most tactically demanding leagues was important for his development, but also for how he was perceived in the market. Premier League clubs particularly value centre-backs who can defend large spaces, win aerial duels and make a high-quality contribution to build-up play. Muharemović's left foot further increases his value because it allows coaches to achieve a more balanced build-up from the left side of the defence.
Interest in him did not emerge only during the final stages of negotiations with Leeds. In recent months, he had been linked with several English and Italian clubs, while Juventus, according to the Italian media, considered the possibility of bringing him back. The 50 per cent clause meant that the Turin club could effectively negotiate at a substantially lower net cost than the nominal price. However, Sassuolo's valuation approached €40 million, while the offer from England changed the financial calculation. Instead of a return to Juventus, the current scenario points towards the Premier League and a direct payment of the Turin club's share.
A high price also carries high expectations. Muharemović has significant experience in Serie B and one full season as a regular player in Serie A, but the Premier League represents a new level of speed, physical demands and media pressure. Leeds would probably expect him to establish himself quickly, particularly following Struijk's departure. At the same time, his age leaves room for further development and adaptation, which is why the transfer should not be viewed only in terms of its immediate impact. The club would be investing in a player who, if successful, could form the foundation of the defence for several seasons.
International status further strengthened his profile
In recent years, Muharemović has also progressed within the Bosnia and Herzegovina national-team hierarchy. After previously captaining the under-21 team, he joined the senior squad and gradually earned a more important role. The official profile of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina lists 20 senior appearances up to and including the match against the United States of America on 2 July 2026. At the 2026 World Cup, he played against Panama, Canada, Switzerland and the USA, gaining experience of matches played under great pressure and against national teams with different styles. That tournament further increased the international visibility of a player who had already been closely monitored in Italy.
International matches do not determine a player's transfer value by themselves, but they can accelerate interest when they confirm that a player can cope with a higher level of competition. For Leeds, it is also important that Muharemović arrives with experience of playing in different systems, ranging from Juventus' development team and a promotion campaign to Serie A and the World Cup. His height provides a potential advantage from set pieces at both ends of the pitch, while the quality of his positioning and decision-making will be crucial to his success in England. The Premier League punishes transitional mistakes faster than most competitions, so the adaptation process will be just as important as his physical attributes.
The potential transfer would also have wider significance for football in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A fee of around €40 million would place Muharemović among the most valuable transfers involving Bosnia and Herzegovina footballers and confirm the growth of his international status. Such comparisons should nevertheless wait for the official announcement of the fixed amount, because figures reported in the media sometimes include achievable or difficult-to-achieve bonuses. Regardless of the final structure, the mere willingness of a Premier League club to spend an amount of that level demonstrates how quickly his reputation has grown. Two years ago, he was a member of Juventus' development team, and he is now on the verge of becoming an important signing in one of the most closely followed leagues in the world.
Major financial deal, but sporting outcome still needs to be proven
For Sassuolo, the sale would be an example of a successful sporting and market strategy. The club provided the player with continuity, first in the battle to return to Serie A and then in Italy's top division. His value increased sharply during that period, creating room for a major profit even after Juventus takes its agreed share. Sassuolo could use the money received to rebuild the squad, but the departure of a regular centre-back would simultaneously create an important gap in the team. The financial success of the transfer will therefore not automatically mean a sporting gain unless the club finds a suitable replacement.
Juventus finds itself in an unusual but highly favourable position. The Turin club will not receive back the player it once developed, but it is expected to earn a substantial fee without selling a current member of the squad. According to Gazzetta's report, the expected income is around €19 million, while other media round the figure up to €20 million. That money could affect Juventus' own plans in the market, particularly in its search for defensive reinforcements. The final calculation, however, will be known only after the official confirmation of the transfer and the publication of the details or a subsequent financial report.
For Leeds, the decision is primarily a sporting test of its judgement. Paying approximately €40 million for a 23-year-old centre-back means that the club expects an immediate contribution as well as long-term value. Muharemović's profile corresponds to the modern requirements for a defender who must be strong in duels, secure in the air and capable of initiating attacks under pressure. Whether he will transfer those qualities to the Premier League will depend on his adaptation, the role Daniel Farke assigns to him and the stability of the entire defensive structure. The high fee may increase the pressure, but it does not guarantee a place in the team or success on the pitch.
The next steps are expected to be the medical examination, the completion of personal negotiations and the clubs' official announcements. Only then will it be possible to confirm the final transfer fee, the length of the contract and all additional financial provisions. Until that point, the available sources consistently indicate that Leeds are closest to securing Muharemović's signature and that the deal is in its final stages. If it is completed under the reported terms, the transfer will simultaneously represent the biggest step in the career of the Bosnia and Herzegovina centre-back, one of Leeds' most important summer investments and an exceptionally lucrative conclusion to Juventus' earlier decision to retain half of the value of a future sale.
Sources:
- La Gazzetta dello Sport – report on the agreed transfer and Juventus' expected income of approximately €19 million (link)
- Leeds United – official confirmation of Pascal Struijk's departure to Brighton & Hove Albion (link)
- Leeds United – official announcement of Harry Wilson's arrival and the beginning of the club's summer transfer window (link)
- Premier League – final table for the 2025/26 season showing Leeds' position and record (link)
- Leeds United – official schedule for the 2026/27 season and confirmation that the league campaign will begin against Nottingham Forest (link)
- Juventus – official announcement of Muharemović's loan move to Sassuolo in August 2024 (link)
- Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina – official profile containing biographical information and a list of international appearances (link)
- Transfermarkt – overview of the reported transfer terms, market value and possible contract until 2031 (link)