Tottenham have identified Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic as a potential bargain target as uncertainty surrounds the futures of Micky van de Ven and captain Cristian Romero. With Roberto De Zerbi and ENIC preparing for a summer rebuild if needed, Spurs could prioritise defensive reinforcements to shore up a backline that has underperformed this season.
Tottenham weigh up Muharemovic while Van de Ven and Romero linger on exit lists
Tottenham are reportedly tracking Tarik Muharemovic as they prepare for a potentially disruptive summer. The 23-year-old centre-back has emerged as a realistic, value-for-money option — widely viewed as capable of stepping into a Premier League role — with a price tag that could be modest by elite-market standards.
Why a centre-back is suddenly a priority
Tottenham's defensive corps have been inconsistent this season, and the possible departures of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero would leave significant gaps. Van de Ven has been linked with interest from top European clubs, while Romero’s future is similarly unclear. Losing one or both would force Spurs to move quickly for replacements rather than tinker around the edges.
Who is Tarik Muharemovic?
Muharemovic, coming through at Sassuolo, blends physical presence with progressive passing — traits De Zerbi’s systems value. At 23 he projects as a medium-term starter who can be coached into a leadership role. Statistical profiles have even drawn comparisons to high-level defenders for his mix of defensive actions and ball-carrying output.
Van de Ven and Romero: the domino effect
Micky van de Ven turning down contract talks would be a major signal of intent. If Spurs fail to secure his commitment, market interest from Real Madrid or Barcelona could accelerate a move. Romero, Tottenham’s captain, is also being courted, with LaLiga sides among the suggested suitors.
The simultaneous exit of both would compel Tottenham to buy twice in one window — a costly and delicate operation that risks destabilising a coach’s short-term plans while funding a longer-term rebuild.
Financial and tactical implications
Selling premium assets could free funds and justify targeting two high-calibre defenders. But offloading leaders like Romero and a young starter in van de Ven reduces squad balance and on-field cohesion. The alternative is a defensive upgrade without major departures, which would require ENIC to back De Zerbi more aggressively in the market.
De Zerbi’s position and ENIC’s hand
Roberto De Zerbi remains the architect of Tottenham’s football identity. Whether Spurs survive or not, the manager’s approach suggests a need for structural change rather than cosmetic fixes. ENIC will face a binary choice: invest to accelerate the rebuild or monetise assets and reset the squad around a new financial plan.
What this signing would mean for Spurs
Securing Muharemovic would be pragmatic: a relatively young, adaptable centre-back who fits De Zerbi’s playing principles and offers resale upside. It would also signal a strategy of buying smart rather than splashing on marquee names — sensible if Tottenham anticipate selling players to balance the books.
How the summer could unfold
If van de Ven and Romero stay, Spurs can pursue Muharemovic as depth and future-proofing. If one or both depart, Tottenham will likely prioritise two central defenders and look for players comfortable in a high-possession, pressing system.
Bottom line
Tottenham are at a crossroads defensively. Targeting a promising, cost-efficient profile like Tarik Muharemovic fits a calculated rebuild, but the club’s ultimate moves will hinge on the decisions of Van de Ven and Romero.
Tottenham closing in on Roberto De Zerbi appointment with talks at advanced stage
ENIC and De Zerbi must balance short-term competitiveness with long-term squad construction — get that wrong, and Spurs risk repeating a season of underperformance.
Givemesport
