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Leeds United have spent £34m to make Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic their second signing of the summer - giving the club’s strongest XI and bench a different look to it.
Nine days on from announcing the signing of Harry Wilson as a free transfer, Leeds unveiled Bosnia and Herzegovina international centre-back as the club’s second arrival of the summer and United’s second most expensive player in the club’s history on Friday afternoon.
Fresh from starring for his country at the World Cup, Muharemovic has joined Leeds from Serie A side Sassuolo for £34m on a five-year deal. In United’s history, only Georginio Rutter cost more money and only just at £35.5m.
Muharemovic fills a defensive void left by Pascal Struijk following the centre-back’s move to Brighton this summer in a deal worth £20m. Another big exit was also confirmed this week as former first choice keeper Karl Darlow joined Manchester United as a free transfer signing upon his Leeds deal ending this summer.
Darlow is the second keeper to leave Leeds this summer following the departure of Illan Meslier who also left as his contract expired, Meslier since joining Arsenal as a back up stopper.
A player who could have returned to Leeds this summer also left this week as Isaac Schmidt sealed a permanent move to Swiss club Young Boys following last season’s loan spell with Werder Bremen.
But Wilson and Muharemovic are two big signings for Leeds and their arrival significantly changes the club’s likely strongest best XI and bench. Here, following the deals so far this summer, is our idea of what the new Leeds best XI and bench now looks like.
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13. Sub: James Justin
Justin initially had to be patient in the wait for minutes after joining the club from Leicester City last summer but the 28-yeare-old then proved extremely reliable when called upon anywhere across the defence as part of a strong run in the side. Unfortunate to be on the bench but a very good player to have there as an option in so many different positions. | Getty Images
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14. Sub: Sebastiaan Bornauw
Another who has proved a very solid signing and the obvious other back-up defensive option on the bench although young centre back Alfie Cresswell is clearly knocking on the door too and it's worth remembering that Leeds still have an international defender on their books in Max Wober too following his recent loan spells away from the club although quite what the future holds for him remains to be seen. | Getty Images
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15. Sub: Ao Tanaka
The fourth Leeds player who has represented the club at the World Cup with Japan and a player who would probably make the first choice XI if Farke went with three centre mids as opposed to three attackers - as seems more likely with Wilson and Okafor. | Getty Images
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16. Sub: Sean Longstaff
A very capable player on his day who would not look out of place in the strongest XI and another obvious one for the bench although it could be a case of Longstaff or Ilia Gruev as the other midfield option once Gruev returns from injury. Assuming Farke goes for another midfielder on the bench that is. | Getty Images
17. Sub: Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson was one of Farke's most called on players last season and the American might well still make the strongest XI but it's hard to think that both Okafor and Wilson won't start so Aaronson likely now drops to the bench. | Getty Images
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18. Sub: Dan James
By this point Farke is already running out of spaces on his bench but James is probably the next option out wide although it might now be a case of one from James or Gnonto unless a forward is moved. | Getty Images