Sources: Leeds ‘pushing’ for Tarik Muharemovic deal as two defender signings lined up

Leeds United are set to step up their pursuit of Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, sources have told Football Insider. 

The Whites are “pushing” to get a move for the 23-year-old over the line in the coming weeks, while Bournemouth and Sunderland have also been linked with him. 

Daniel Farke and Co. have identified the Bosnia and Herzegovina international as a player who could make the step up to the Premier League, and have now made him their “top target.”

Sources say that Leeds are expecting a “fight” for Muharemovic’s signature, with Sassuolo set to demand £35million, and Juventus holding a 50 per cent sell-on clause at the moment. 

The West Yorkshire outfit are looking to add two new centre-backs to their group in the coming weeks, after recently sanctioning Pascal Struijk’s move to Brighton for £20m. 

Farke is keen to play with a back three once again next term, and is desperate to ensure he has the necessary level of depth available to him. 

Daniel Farke to persist with Leeds back three

Leeds turned their fortunes around after a rocky start last season, and Farke’s change in formation is widely regarded as a major reason behind that. 

The German began to set his team up in a 3-5-2 system in early December, and it prompted a run of just two defeats in 14 league games that revitalised their push for survival. 

He is now keen to line up with that formation from the off in 2026-27, but needs to ensure that the squad is well-prepared to be able to operate in that shape. 

Struijk’s exit has left Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw as the Whites’ only senior centre-backs at the moment, with the latter also having been firmly out of favour in 2025-26. 

The recruitment team have made new additions at the heart of the backline a key priority as a result, with Leeds in need of significant reinforcements in that area. 

Harry Wilson remains the only signing of the summer for Leeds at the moment, but that could soon change if they get their way.

Nico Elvedi opens door to Leeds move

Football Insider revealed last week that Borussia Monchengladbach centre-back Nico Elvedi is keen to join Leeds this summer, as he is now into the final 12 months of his contract. 

Farke previously worked with the Switzerland international during his time in charge of the Bundesliga side, and that relationship is expected to be key to any chance of Leeds landing the defender. 

Monchengladbach are understood to already be “resigned” to losing the 29-year-old this summer, as he is keen to take on a new challenge elsewhere. 

Elvedi has spent the last 11 seasons with the German outfit, but could soon be about to move to Elland Road if Farke and Co. can make a deal happen.