Leeds have reached a provisional agreement on a £34million fee with Sassuolo for defender Tarik Muharemovic.
The Italian club said earlier on Tuesday that they were close to an agreement for the 23-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina international.
If the deal is completed it would make him Leeds’ second signing of the window, after forward Harry Wilson joined following the end of his contract at Fulham.
Bournemouth had made the early running for Muharemovic, even making an offer in January. Sunderland had also made enquiries in recent weeks.
Tarik Muharemovic was on the end of this notorious challenge by USA’s Folarin Balogun
Leeds needed a centre back after selling Pascal Struijk to Brighton for £18m to stay in the right side of financial guidelines.
They remain in talks for Southampton’s Shea Charles and still want another centre back, left back, attacking midfielder and a striker.
Muharemovic was caught up in one of the most notorious incidents of the World Cup, when he was caught by a challenge of Folarin Balogun during the USA’s last-32 victory.
Balogun received a red card for the lunge but was allowed to play against Belgium in the last 16 when his ban was suspended following intervention by President Trump.
Juventus will receive 50 per cent of any fee for Muharemovic, so stand to receive £17m.
Leeds heading over to the USA next week for their pre-season tour.
