Leeds United are seeing Tarik Muharemovic’s move edge even closer, with Sassuolo already working on plans for life after the defender as the Italian club line up a potential replacement.
The Whites have spent the past few days pushing to complete a deal for the Bosnia international. Reports in Italy indicate they agreed to meet Sassuolo’s €40m (£34.6m) asking price. And as we covered earlier, medical tests and an official announcement are now expected to follow.
Fresh reporting from SassuoloNews suggests the Serie A side have already turned their attention to replacing Muharemovic. This underlines just how concrete the transfer to Elland Road has become.
Sassuolo move for Muharemovic successor
According to the Italian outlet, Sassuolo have identified Benfica youngster Mauro Furtado as one of their preferred options to replace Muharemovic.
The 17-year-old left-footed centre-back is regarded as one of Portugal’s brightest defensive prospects. He featured for his country at last year’s Under-17 World Cup. Additionally, he scored three goals in 23 appearances across Benfica’s Under-19 and Under-23 sides last season.
SassuoloNews explain that interest remains at the monitoring stage, with Marseille and Strasbourg also keeping tabs on the defender. However, the fact Sassuolo are already assessing successors is another indication they expect Muharemovic’s departure to Leeds to be completed shortly.
The same report also states that Bournemouth were among the clubs beaten by Leeds in the race for the defender, alongside Sunderland. Earlier reports had also linked Newcastle United with the 23-year-old.
Leeds closing in on defensive reinforcement
Muharemovic enjoyed an outstanding campaign under Fabio Grosso as Sassuolo secured promotion back to Serie A. He established himself as one of the division’s standout central defenders. He also impressed for Bosnia at the World Cup. As a result, this further increased interest in his services.
For Leeds, the signing would address a key area of Daniel Farke’s squad following Pascal Struijk’s departure to Brighton.
Questions also remain over the futures of Sebastiaan Bornauw and Maximilian Wöber, meaning Muharemovic may prove to be the first of more defensive arrivals before the transfer window closes.
From Sassuolo’s perspective, attention has already shifted towards the next chapter. That may be the clearest indication yet that Muharemovic’s move to Leeds is entering its final steps.
🇮🇹 Michele Di Gregorio | Leeds United initiate contact for 28-year-old ➡️ Looks like back-up option https://t.co/82mygKoVZA #lufc #mot
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) July 16, 2026
