Tarik Muharemovic: Newcastle in race to sign Serie A star
Newcastle are battling AC Milan and several other top Serie A clubs in the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.
Muharemovic has emerged as one of the brightest defensive prospects in Serie A this season after some consistently strong performances for 11th-placed Sassuolo.
The 22-year-old joined the club from Juventus last summer after a loan spell in which he made 30 appearances and helped them to promotion from Serie B.
He has registered two goals and assists each from centre-back in 17 Serie A appearances so far in 2025-26, with numerous bigger clubs tracking his progress as a result.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Newcastle are one of the clubs looking at Muharemovic, but they face competition for his signature from a whole host of top Italian sides.
Newcastle have Muharemovic on their radar amid current defensive concerns
Eddie Howe is dealing with a defensive injury crisis right now, with Tino Livramento facing eight weeks out due to a hamstring issue, while Fabian Schar is not expected back until April, and Dan Burn, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth are also sidelined.
Newcastle have targeted Dayann Methalie to add to Howe’s centre-back depth, while Muharemovic is another who the club have identified as a potential signing in the near future.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “He’s (Muharemovic) somebody that Newcastle are well aware of, and he’s on their radar. The Bosnian has done well for Sassuolo this season in Serie A.
“He’s regarded as one of the best young defensive prospects in Italy following his impressive performances for Sassuolo.
“But I think there’s a lot of big interest from the big boys in Italy. You’ve got the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan, Napoli and Bologna all keeping tabs on the player as well.
Joe Willock could leave Newcastle as Leeds eye January move
While Muharemovic could soon arrive to boost the Magpies’ depth, one player who could be on his way out after struggling to make his mark recently is Willock.
The 26-year-old has been on the fringes of Newcastle‘s starting eleven for a while now, with 17 appearances and just two league starts so far this term.
Former scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Leeds are eyeing a move for Willock this month as they aim to bolster Daniel Farke’s depth and survive in the Premier League.
Newcastle fans ripped into Willock for his performance against Bournemouth in their FA Cup clash last weekend, and so he could well be leaving St James’ Park soon.