Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are both in the race to sign Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, with the Bosnian defender’s stock rising sharply after an imperious performance that helped his country beat Italy and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
According to Tuttosport, as cited by Sport Witness, Tottenham are “vying” for Muharemovic’s signature and Roberto De Zerbi is understood to be keen. That detail carries added weight given De Zerbi previously managed Sassuolo and knows the Italian market intimately. Aston Villa are equally serious in their interest, with the two Premier League clubs now the primary English contenders for a defender who has been one of the most impressive centre-backs in Serie A this season.
Sassuolo signed Muharemovic for just €5m in 2025 after an initial loan from Juventus, and are now demanding €30m to sanction a sale. That represents an extraordinary capital gain for the Italian club, but given how much his profile has grown, it is a figure they feel the market will support.
Why Tarik Muharemovic suits both Tottenham and Aston Villa
The left-footed centre-back profile is one of the most sought-after in European football right now, and Muharemovic fits that mould. Physically imposing, comfortable in possession and capable of contributing at both ends, he has made 27 appearances across all competitions for Sassuolo this season, contributing two goals and two assists. His display against Italy in the World Cup qualifier, where he dominated the home forwards and helped Bosnia secure a famous victory, only confirmed what clubs had already been monitoring for months.
For Tottenham, the need is clear. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have both been linked with summer departures, and if either or both leave, De Zerbi would be looking at a significant rebuild of the defensive unit. Muharemovic at 23, with his best years ahead and his value demonstrably rising, represents exactly the kind of long-term investment the club should be making. For Aston Villa, the logic is similar: Pau Torres has been linked with interest from elsewhere, and a young left-footed partner for Douglas Luiz or a long-term Torres replacement makes tactical sense under Unai Emery.
Will Tottenham or Villa win the Tarik Muharemovic race?
It will not be straightforward for either. Inter Milan are further advanced in their interest, having already sounded Sassuolo out over a summer deal, and Juventus hold a sell-on clause in his contract which gives them the ability to re-sign him at a preferential rate. Bournemouth also tried to sign him in January and failed. The competition is real and growing, and Sassuolo are actively seeking an auction to maximise the fee. At €30m with the profile he now carries, this is a deal that could escalate quickly once the summer window opens.
