Sassuolo Plot Acerbi Comeback to Fill Void Left by Muharemovic’s €40m Leeds Move

FolioPitch.com – 17 July 2026 | Sassuolo eye Acerbi return to replace Leeds-bound Muharemovic as the Neroverdi look to reinforce their defense following the imminent departure of Tarik Muharemovic. The Bosnian centre-back is set to complete a club-record €40 million transfer to Leeds United, leaving a significant gap at the heart of a backline he anchored last season. According to reports, Sassuolo have identified veteran defender Francesco Acerbi as the ideal candidate to fill that void, potentially bringing the 38-year-old back to the Mapei Stadium on a free transfer.

Acerbi, whose contract with Inter Milan expired at the end of June, is currently a free agent. He spent five formative years at Sassuolo from 2013 to 2018 before moving to Lazio, where he launched the most decorated stretch of his career. After success in Rome, he joined Inter and won the Serie A title while reaching two Champions League finals. Now, Sassuolo eye Acerbi return to replace Leeds-bound Muharemovic as a low-cost, high-experience solution that would keep the veteran in Italian football.

The move makes sense for both parties. For Sassuolo, signing Acerbi would bring leadership and tactical nous to a defense that loses its linchpin. The €40 million windfall from Muharemovic’s sale provides financial flexibility, but the club is also keen to reinvest wisely. Acerbi, at 38, may not have the legs for a full campaign, but his reading of the game and ability to organize a backline remain top-class. For Acerbi, a return to Sassuolo would be a genuine homecoming, allowing him to end his career at the club where he established himself as a Serie A defender.

It is worth noting that nothing is agreed yet. The idea is described as a hypothesis rather than a negotiation, but the logic is clear. Sassuolo eye Acerbi return to replace Leeds-bound Muharemovic as a pragmatic option that requires no transfer fee, only wages. The Neroverdi have a history of successful reunions, and Acerbi’s familiarity with the environment could ease his integration.

Muharemovic’s departure is a blow, but the club record fee ensures Sassuolo have resources to strengthen. Other targets may be younger, but few offer the experience of Acerbi, who has over 400 Serie A appearances and a wealth of European experience. If the deal materializes, Sassuolo eye Acerbi return to replace Leeds-bound Muharemovic, giving them a short-term solution while they develop younger defenders or plan for the future.

Conclusion: The potential return of Francesco Acerbi to Sassuolo represents a fascinating subplot in the summer transfer window. With Muharemovic heading to Leeds, the Neroverdi are turning to a familiar face to steady their defense. While still in the early stages, the logic is compelling for all sides. Whether Acerbi dons the green and black again remains to be seen, but the whispers are real, and the football world will be watching.