Bayern Munich have placed emerging Leeds United defender Tarik Muharemovic at the top of their transfer shortlist, according to TEAMtalk.
The German club are reportedly weighing up whether to pursue the centre back during the January window, though a move next summer is viewed as the more probable scenario for a player who only moved to Elland Road a few months ago.
The report indicates that the 23-year-old is already valued at around £60million, almost twice the sum United paid Sassuolo to secure his signature as a replacement for Pascal Struijk, who was heading to Brighton.
Muharemovic, a Bosnia and Herzegovina international, is in the early stages of a five-year contract, meaning Leeds are under no pressure to consider a sale.
The rumour is framed as an indication of the club’s recruitment work, recognition that they succeeded in beating strong competition to land the defender and that the decision to do so has been justified.
Inter Milan are also said to retain an interest in the player, having tried to sign him during the summer.
Newcastle, Bournemouth and Sunderland were named as clubs that monitored his situation at the time.
Since arriving at Leeds, Muharemovic has displayed the attributes associated with the role under manager Daniel Farke, including aerial reliability, composure in possession and a presence in both penalty areas.
He has featured for the full duration of every match so far this season at club level, and has also completed full 90-minute international appearances against Poland, both home and away, Sweden and Romania.