Carnevali warning to Inter and Bournemouth: ‘We will not sell Muharmovic in January’

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has sent a word of warning to Inter and AFC Bournemouth that centre-back Tarik Muharmovic will not be on the move during the January transfer window, but admits: ‘we’ve had contact from several clubs’. 

22-year-old centre-back Muharmovic has attracted interest from Serie A and Premier League sides heading into the January transfer window. 

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined Sassuolo on an initial season-long loan in 2024-25 in a deal that included a conditional obligation to buy. The mandatory buy option was activated when the Neroverdi achieved promotion from Serie B at the end of that campaign, costing a reported fee of €5m including bonuses. 

Juventus have retained a 50% sell-on clause for Muharmovic, who could now be worth somewhere around €30m according to some reports in Italy. 

Carnevali, speaking to the media ahead of Sassuolo’s Serie A match against Juventus on Tuesday night, insisted that the club does not intend to sell Muharemovic this window, and claimed that his ‘value’ depends on the interested club. 

“His value depends on who’s asking,” Carnevali told DAZN. “We will not sell him in January. We’ve had contact from several clubs, he has a high value, but he has to prove it. It’s a high bar.”

He later continued: “We don’t want to sell our most important players. If there’s a chance to strengthen, we will look to do it, but we prefer younger players as always.” 

And, on Tuesday’s match against Juventus, Carnevali added: “Playing games like this is the pinnacle. It’s one of many big tests we’ve had to face. It’s a full stadium, the conditions are all in place for it to be a good match. 

“If the result favours us, it means that our goals for the season change. For now, it’s survival.” 

And lastly, a brief injury update: “Berardi will be out for about 10 days, as will Volpato.”