Juventus are regretting missing out on Tarik Muharemović to Leeds United in the summer window, after his good start to the life in England.
Leeds United invested around €40m to take the centre-back away from Sassuolo in July.
He initially arrived in Italy when Juventus Next Gen [reserve team] signed him in 2021 and didn’t make an appearance for the first team.
The Turin club sent him on loan to Sassuolo in 2024 before selling him to them a year later. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international played 63 matches for the Serie A side, managing four goals and four assists.
Muharemović’s impressive performances for Sassuolo had attracted interest from several clubs, including the Old Lady and the Whites.
Disappointment over losing to Leeds United
That’s according to TuttoMercatoWeb, who state Juventus wanted to bring the defender back to the club in the summer.
There were other clubs that were keen on signing Tarik Muharemović during the summer window. These clubs, mainly Luciano Spalletti’s side, provided fierce competition to Leeds United.
Daniel Farke’s side secured the 23-year-old’s services, and the decision has already paid off.
Muharemović has played every minute [630 minutes from seven matches] for the Whites, managing a goal and an assist. He scored in the 6-3 EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Elland Road club have conceded three goals from six league matches and have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, along with Everton.
Muharemović is one of the important figures in their defence and was also key in Bosnia keeping a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw against Poland on Friday.
Juventus had a sell-on clause and his sale to Leeds United saw them collect, as per TMW, €17.4m. However, taking his impressive start to the life in England into account, missing out on him in the summer is ‘already a regret’.
Leeds United investment paying off
Tarik Muharemović wasn’t short of options when leaving the Italian club but only wanted to join Leeds United. Sassuolo sporting director Francesco Palmieri already confirmed this last month.
Earlier this week, the former Juventus man explained he wants to prove himself at the Premier League side.
He said: “Now I’m really happy to be here, at Leeds, and in the Premier League, and not somewhere else.”
“My focus is here and I just want to forget those early years. I thank Sassuolo and I’m truly grateful for what they’ve done for me. I’m at Leeds United to prove who I am.”
Transfermarkt valued him at €25m at the end of last season and now it’s €35m. This is also another indication of the progress he has made at Elland Road. No wonder Juventus are annoyed about missing out on the Bosnian.
His contract is until 2031, and should Muharemović continue to shine, top clubs are likely to consider signing him in the coming windows. Leeds United, if they decide to sell, will be in line to earn big.
