Aston Villa Face Intense Competition For €25 Defender: Why Do They Still Have Reasons To Fight?

How does the transfer race actually stand right now?

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali confirmed the club have already fielded inquiries for Muharemovic. He noted that the price tag will fluctuate depending on who comes calling, stating: “We haven’t put a value on him; we’ll evaluate whatever offers we receive. Whether from a big Italian club or a Premier League team, the values will vary. We’ll also see if anyone offers something in return.” That mention of player exchanges is important because Inter plan to include a youth prospect in the deal to lower the cash price, and Sassuolo are reportedly open to taking a Nerazzurri talent in return.

Sassuolo have set a €25 million asking price for the 23-year-old, which is actually lower than the €30 million figure previously reported by Tuttosport and Sport Witness. Juventus sold Muharemovic to Sassuolo last summer but kept a 50% sell-on clause and a right of first refusal. This means Juve stand to profit from any sale and could technically use that leverage to jump ahead of Inter or the English sides.

Transfer expert Matteo Moretto addressed this on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel, saying, “There is always Juventus, but Inter are the club moving with the most force.” He added that Muharemovic is currently pausing other offers while he waits for the Nerazzurri to finalise things.

Inter are looking at including a player in the deal to bring the cost down. With Stefan De Vrij, Matteo Darmian, and Francesco Acerbi all likely to leave the San Siro, Beppe Marotta has made Muharemovic a priority. If Alessandro Bastoni moves to Barcelona, the need for a replacement becomes even more urgent. Inter have reportedly already reached a basic agreement with the Bosnian to step in if Bastoni departs.

Why do Aston Villa still have reasons to stay in the fight?

SASSUOLO, ITALY – APRIL 04: Tarik Muharemovic of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on April 04, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Even with Inter’s current momentum, Aston Villa still have a strong case for staying in the race this summer. Tyrone Mings turned 33 last month, and Victor Lindelöf will be 32 before next season kicks off, leaving Unai Emery with a defensive age gap that needs fixing. Muharemovic, who turned 23 in late February, would be a smart long-term option for Villa. As a left-footed centre-back who is dominant in the air and comfortable playing out from the back, he is a perfect option for Emery’s system. Villa might also consider selling Pau Torres, and Muharemovic looks like a natural successor for that role.

The financials are a bit tricky. Aston Villa will want to negotiate the price down, but with so much interest in the Bosnian, Sassuolo aren’t likely to budge easily. However, Villa’s advantage comes from the wages and commercial profile an English club can offer compared to Inter. These factors could make Muharemovic rethink his preference for the San Siro if Villa move quickly with a solid offer.

The window is getting tighter, but the door isn’t closed yet. Emery has a track record of convincing players to join his project over bigger names, and Muharemovic is exactly the kind of signing that has worked for Villa in the past. Whether the club make a move or stay on the sidelines while Inter wrap up a deal will be a clear sign of their intentions for the 2026-27 season.