Leeds United are looking to strengthen at centre-back after Pascal Struijk completed his move to Brighton earlier in the summer transfer window.
The Whites were left with little option but to cash in on the Dutchman after it became clear he would not sign a new contract. With the club also needing to raise significant funds before the end of June, his departure made financial sense.
Even with reports suggesting Daniel Farke could switch back to a back-four next season, Leeds remain firmly in the market for a new central defender.
Replacing Struijk has become a priority, and Daniel Farke has been pushing the club to bring in a centre-back as soon as possible this summer.
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Graham Smyth reveals fresh update on Leeds United’s pursuit of a defender
Leeds have been looking at several centre-back targets ahead of the new season, and Farke has a certain profile in mind to replace Struijk this summer.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Saturday evening that Leeds are firmly in the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic in the ongoing transfer window.
The 23-year-old defender is expected to leave Italy this summer following interest from at least three Premier League clubs, including Leeds.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has added to Romano’s reporting, but insisted that nothing is imminent.
He claimed that while Leeds are interested in Muharemovic, they have not gone any further in pursuit of the centre-back this summer.
No advanced talks are taking place, and Leeds are very much trying to figure out what it would take to sign the defender in the ongoing window.
Leeds United interested but it’s gone no further than that yet.
He’s said to be aerially dominant and good on the ball. Both of which would be helpful in a post-Struijk world. Won’t be an easy get, given what those others can offer next season. #lufc https://t.co/1rAQK1EHct
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) July 11, 2026
He stressed that while the 23-year-old suits Leeds’ needs, the club are likely to find it hard to sign him given the level of competition they are facing.
Sunderland are also among the clubs who are interested in Muharemovic, and they can offer him European football.
Tarik Muharemovic is the ideal target for Daniel Farke
Daniel Farke is keen to bring in a defender with a similar profile to Pascal Struijk, who played a key role in his Leeds United side over the past few seasons.
The German is looking for a left-footed centre-back who is comfortable playing out from the back, and Tarik Muharemovic fits that mould perfectly.
The 23-year-old impressed during his spell in Italy last season and also caught the eye with Bosnia and Herzegovina at the World Cup, further enhancing his reputation.
It remains unclear how much Sassuolo would demand for Muharemovic, but he is unlikely to be available on the cheap. The Italian club are understood to owe Juventus 50 per cent of any future profit from his sale, giving them little incentive to accept a cut-price offer.
