Newcastle must seal Tarik Muharemovic deal immediately as stats vs Canada emerge

Newcastle United may well have been watching as Tarik Muharemovic impressed for Bosnia and Herzegovina in their 1-1 draw with Canada on Friday.

The 23-year-old featured throughout as both sides were forced to settle for a point in their World Cup opener.

The Premier League side have been monitoring the centre-back for some time, and have been weighing up the possibility of a move this summer.

Muharemovic is one of Serie A's brightest prospects and is under contract at Sassuolo until 2031 after leaving Juventus on a permanent deal last summer.

Newcastle managed to agree a one-year contract with veteran Fabian Schar last week, and have Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Dan Burn available at the back.

With both of those options now 34, however, the Magpies have clearly begun to think about the process of bedding in a replacement.

Tarik Muharemovic's astonishing stats vs Canada

Football Insider exclusively revealed Newcastle's interest in Muharemovic in January, with AC Milan and several other big Serie A sides tracking him.

The Bosnian defender was born in Slovenia and started his career in Austria, breaking through at Wolfsberger before joining the Juventus academy when his contract expired in 2021.

The 23-year-old never managed to make his senior debut before leaving on loan to join Sassuolo in 2024, and it was there that his talent became evident.

Juventus agreed to sell Muharemovic for just £1.7million last summer but reportedly included a huge 50 per cent sell-on clause in the deal, making a sale complicated for Sassuolo.

Newcastle will likely have to pay a premium but judging on Friday's performance, it will be worth it.

Muharemovic was denied his clean sheet but completed a tackle, a block, a remarkable 21 clearances, two interceptions and six recoveries.

In the duel he was fierce, wining nine from 11 contested and winning a free-kick. The 23-year-old's composure on the ball was also clear, completing a successful dribble and two long balls.

Newcastle face potential issues at centre-back

Should Newcastle opt against signing Muharemovic or another centre-back this summer, they would be taking a risk.

While Schar's commitment to another year at St James' Park was important, the centre-back spent much of the season out injured and the same risk applies to Botman.

Burn, 34, largely features at left-back for Eddie Howe, and has had injury issues of his own.

The arrival of Muharemovic would alleviate those risks, and add extra security at the back for Newcastle. A deal that sees him arrive this summer cannot be ruled out.