Muharemovic's fast start at Leeds draws praise as top clubs circle
Tarik Muharemovic has quickly won over Leeds United fans and pundits after his £34.1m move from Sassuolo, with reported interest from Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan raising questions about how long the club can keep him.
Tarik Muharemovic has made such an impression at Leeds United that attention has already shifted from his price tag to how long the club can hold on to him. The 23-year-old centre-back arrived from Sassuolo for £34.1m, making him Leeds' most expensive defender and replacing Pascal Struijk, who joined Brighton for £20m. Some supporters questioned the fee for a player with only one season in Europe's top leagues, but former Leeds boss Simon Grayson said he saw enough in the defender's first 20 minutes of a July friendly against RB Leipzig to believe the club had signed an exceptional talent.
The 6ft 4in left-footed defender has not missed a minute in the Premier League this season, contributing one goal and two assists across 10 league and cup appearances. Leeds have conceded six goals and kept three clean sheets in their opening eight league games, giving them one of the division's best defensive records. Muharemovic has made more headed clearances than any other top-flight player this season, and fans have dubbed him 'The Bosnian Brick Wall'.
Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward told BBC Sport that his form will already have clubs looking to sign him, while podcast presenter Jonny Buchan raised the possibility that he could be a one-year wonder whose Premier League performances attract suitors. Reported interest from Barcelona, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan has added to that concern. Grayson described him as a rock-like presence and said he senses the player feels at home at Elland Road, though he acknowledged Muharemovic may aspire to play for the world's biggest clubs.
Former Leeds and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said the biggest compliment to Muharemovic is that nobody is discussing Struijk's departure, calling him an outstanding signing who fits the manager's system in a back three. Grayson highlighted his cultured left foot and range of passing, adding that he understands what Leeds supporters want. Fans have responded to his passionate performances, including a shout of "United are back" into TV cameras after a 4-1 win over Newcastle in September.
Muharemovic was born in Slovenia, raised in Austria and came through Wolfsberger before joining Juventus, where he trained alongside Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. He did not make a senior appearance for Juventus but played 57 times for their Next Gen side before moving to Sassuolo. He also found himself at the centre of a World Cup controversy, when a foul by Folarin Balogun led to the American's red card in Bosnia-Herzegovina's defeat to the United States, before the ban was suspended and Balogun played against Belgium. Leeds next face Bournemouth on Saturday.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
