Sunderland are reportedly set to compete with Bournemouth for the signature of Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic, with the centre-back valued at around £21.5 million. Italian journalist Luca Cilli, writing for Tuttosport, claims the two Premier League clubs are ready to intensify their interest in the Bosnia & Herzegovina international. Juventus are also said to be in the running for the 23-year-old.
Muharemovic's Rise Through the Ranks
Born in Slovenia, Muharemovic has already earned senior caps for Bosnia & Herzegovina after captaining the nation's U21 side. He developed through the youth system at Austrian club Wolfsberger AC, making five first-team appearances before joining Juventus in 2021. During his time in Turin, he featured regularly for Juventus Next Gen in Serie C, amassing 47 league appearances and scoring twice.
A loan move to Sassuolo in 2024 proved pivotal. Muharemovic played a key role in their Serie B title win, securing an immediate return to the top flight. That transfer was made permanent the following year, and he has since made 32 Serie A appearances for the club, scoring two goals. Overall, he has 136 senior club outings and six goals, along with 17 international caps.
Market Value and Buy-Back Clause
Muharemovic's estimated market value ranges from £21.5 million to £30 million. However, Juventus are reported to hold a buy-back and sell-on clause, which could allow them to re-sign the defender for approximately £15.5 million. The player was also linked with a move to Sunderland's Tyne-Wear derby rivals Newcastle United in January.
Bertrand Traore's Potential Turkish Move
Meanwhile, former Sunderland winger Bertrand Traore, now a free agent, could be heading to Turkey. According to Africafoot, Trabzonspor have opened negotiations with Traore's representatives over a potential free transfer. The 30-year-old Burkina Faso international left Sunderland this summer after his contract expired.
Traore joined the Black Cats in September 2025 for a fee of around £2.5 million, signing a one-year deal with an option for a further year. The experienced attacker, who has previously played for Chelsea, Lyon, Aston Villa, Villarreal, and Ajax, made 12 Premier League appearances for Sunderland during the 2025/26 campaign, scoring one goal as the club finished seventh. He was released at the end of the season, and Trabzonspor are now assessing him as an attacking reinforcement for the new campaign.
