Aston Villa are plotting a £22m hijack for Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic after Tottenham stole their Senesi deal.
- Villa had been preparing a major offensive for Marcos Senesi this summer
- Tottenham have now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with the Argentine
- Muharemovic has emerged as Villa’s new defensive priority
- Inter Milan and Juventus are the main rivals for the 22-year-old’s signature
Senesi slips away: the unwelcome Tottenham twist
Villa’s summer defensive planning has taken an unexpected and frustrating turn. The club had been launching a serious and credible pursuit of Marcos Senesi, the Argentine centre-back available on a free transfer from Bournemouth and identified as an ideal Pau Torres partner.
However, Tottenham have moved decisively and reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with the 28-year-old according to talkSPORT.
That deal remains contingent on Tottenham’s survival in the Premier League, a far from guaranteed outcome given their precarious position in the relegation zone. Consequently, Villa’s interest is not entirely dead.
Nevertheless, Emery’s recruitment team are clearly exploring alternative options rather than waiting on Tottenham’s fate. Muharemovic has emerged as the new and credible priority.
The Muharemovic profile: why Villa want him
Tarik Muharemovic is 22 years old, technically accomplished, and considered one of Serie A’s most promising young defensive talents.
Reports from Italy indicate that Villa are preparing a concrete move worth €25m (£22m) and face genuine competition from Inter Milan and Juventus for his signature.
Winning that particular race would represent a significant and public statement of the Midlands club’s growing pulling power in the European market.
The Sassuolo defender’s defensive profile complements Ezri Konsa perfectly. Muharemovic focuses his strengths on the “uglier” side of defending, winning more than twice as many tackles as the English international this season.
Konsa, meanwhile, boasts one of the Premier League’s best pass completion rates. Together, they would provide precisely the balanced, complementary partnership that Emery has been searching for throughout the campaign.
Villa’s summer blueprint takes shape
Furthermore, Muharemovic would represent an immediate upgrade on Victor Lindelöf as the long-term defensive reinforcement at Villa Park.
Combined with James Trafford and Leo Scienza, two further targets reportedly on Villa’s summer shortlist, the shape of Emery’s rebuild is beginning to emerge with genuine clarity.
Champions League qualification remains the critical enabler. Villa currently sit fourth in the Premier League: seven points clear of the chasing pack with six games remaining.
Securing that position would unlock the financial flexibility required to fund a summer of ambitious recruitment. Without it, the proportional burden of any £22m commitment becomes considerably heavier.
Villa must win this italian battle
Losing Senesi to Tottenham was a genuine blow. Winning the Muharemovic race, against Inter Milan and Juventus, would be a far more significant statement.
Villa have the project, the manager, and potentially the Champions League football to deliver that argument.
The Italian giants cannot match all three. Now it is time for Emery’s recruitment team to prove it.
