Why Leeds United’s pursuit of £8.5m star is great news for Muharemovic

Leeds United‘s board have backed Daniel Farke in the transfer window with several ambitious signings that are designed to raise the ceiling of the team.

The Whites do not want to fall into the trap of being a club that is satisfied with just avoiding relegation from the Premier League every year, as Farke explained at the end of last season.

That is why Harry Wilson has been snapped up on a free transfer from Fulham, James Trafford has been signed from Manchester City for £40m, and Tarik Muharemovic was brought in from Sassuolo for £34m.

Supporters have now had the chance to see all three of them in action for the club in pre-season, and Muharemovic has already caught the eye with his displays.

What Leeds need to do to make Muharemovic unstoppable

The Bosnia international, who played the first half of the friendly clash with Manchester United earlier this week, had no prior experience of English football before his move to Elland Road.

Despite his lack of experience in the country, the left-footed defender has settled in quickly in West Yorkshire and produced impressive pre-season displays against Man United and RB Leipzig.

The £34m-rated star won two of his three duels against the Red Devils, showing off the required physicality to excel in the Premier League, and was not dribbled past a single time in either match.

Muharemovic will need a central centre-back with strong positioning alongside him, though, because there were several incidents where he drove forward to progress the ball and left gaps at the back on the counter that will need to be filled by his teammates.

The Whites could make him unstoppable at the back, therefore, if they can bring in another defender who can complement his strengths and create an understanding in the back three or back four.

Why Leeds United’s pursuit of star is great news for Muharemovic

Now, the club are said to be pursuing a move for a star who would be the perfect partner for Muharemovic as part of Farke’s backline this season.

LeedsLive reporter Isaac Johnson reports that 49ers are “likely” to strike a Leeds United deal with Borussia Monchengladbach to sign central defender Nico Elvedi.

Meanwhile, German outlet BILD claims that the Whites already have an agreement in place with the Switzerland international on personal terms.

BILD adds that the Bundesliga side are prepared to accept offers in the region of £8.5m for the defender, and it is now down to Leeds to meet their demands to get a deal done.

Elvedi would be the perfect signing for the West Yorkshire outfit to add to their squad as the central centre-back next to Muharemovic on the left and Joe Rodon on the right.

Both Rodon and Muharemovic like to carry the ball up the pitch and push into the half spaces to progress play for the team, which is why it is so important to have a strong and well-positioned centre-back in the middle.

Elvedi’s performances in the Bundesliga in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that he is the exact profile of player needed to make Farke’s back three as effective as possible.

He ranked incredibly highly among centre-backs in the league for clearances, blocked shots, and interceptions, which all speak to his understanding of the game and his positioning.

This suggests that Elvedi has the defensive nous to fill the gaps that Rodon or Muharemovic could leave when they push forward to spark attacks or to join them, ensuring that the Whites are not completely exposed on the break.

The Swiss star could, essentially, be Farke’s insurance policy in defence to allow his wide centre-backs to push forward, which then ensures that Leeds do not become stagnant and predictable with a flat back three in possession.

This pursuit of the Bundesliga colossus is great news for Muharemovic, therefore, because it could give him the license to show off the full breadth of his qualities on the ball, coupled with his defensive ability, giving him the best platform to shine this season.