Exclusive: Newcastle Target Sassuolo Star Tarik Muharemović as Long-Term Centre-Back

Newcastle United have identified impressive Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemović as a long-term centre-back, SportsBoom can reveal.

With Swiss star Fabian Schär, 34, aging and stalwart club captain Jamaal Laschelles, 32, on the verge of a winter exit, Eddie Howe is desperate to reinforce his backline. 

And talented 22-year-old Bosnian international Muharemovic fits the bill for Howe.

Howe prised away Malick Thiaw from AC Milan for £35million in the summer and hopes to repeat the trick with Muharemovic. 

Our sources understand he is a top target for the Magpies as they try to build a squad capable of challenging for domestic honours once again. 

But it could be a familiar tale for the north east club, who have missed out on targets on numerous occasions as other sides have swooped in.

It is understood Manchester United have sent scouts to watch the player in Italy a number of times this season and are closely monitoring his development.

Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are just two other Premier League teams among a list of European clubs keeping tabs on the youngster.

Newcastle are desperate to land a new centre-back after Schär was ruled out for the majority of the season, leaving Eddie Howe short at the heart of his defence.

'Not for Sale'

Sassuolo are adamant Muharemovic, who they signed for €3million from Juventus’ Next Gen squad in the summer, is not for sale this winter.

But the club are braced for a bidding war from a number of top European clubs for the player, who has proved to be a bargain buy. 

Juventus hold a 50 per cent sell-on fee which could complicate negotiations with Sassuolo eager to get a substantial fee for their asset. 

RB Leipzig want to lure the player to Germany and have reportedly planned a €25million bid.

Muharemovic went on loan to Sassuolo last season and made 28 league appearances to help the club get promoted back to Serie A at the first attempt.

And he has continued to impress at the heart of Fabio Grosso’s defence.