What Simon Grayson knew about 'exceptional' Tarik Muharemovic after Leeds United fans erupted
Simon Grayson had no doubt about Tarik Muharemovic from the beginning at Leeds United.
The Whites signed the Bosnia and Herzegovina international from Sassuolo for around £34million to replace the outgoing Pascal Struijk.
Given the money the West Yorkshire outfit spent on the 23-year-old, all eyes were on him from the get-go to see whether he was worth it.
Muharemovic has already become a fan favourite at Elland Road due to his style of play.
While the ex-Sassuolo defender is easy on the eyes and has the technical abilities to play in Daniel Farke's system, he also isn't afraid to get stuck into challenges.
The centre-back's passion and aggression on the pitch instantly suggested he would be a good signing for the Peacocks.
How Tarik Muharemovic convinced Simon Grayson
Muharemovic's valuation at Leeds surely will have increased after an impressive start to the season.
The centre-back has been a key player for Farke and has been essential to the Whites' unbeaten run in the Premier League.
In the summer, the West Yorkshire outfit made some quality signings, including James Trafford, but the defender has stood out for Grayson.
The former Peacocks manager, who maintains modern cult status after his third-tier team beat Manchester United in the FA Cup in 2010, remembers how Muharemovic made the Elland Road faithful erupt during pre-season.
Speaking to Leeds Live on 1 October, Grayson said: "Trafford was obviously well renowned and everyone knew what he was going to be like, but for me Muharemovic has been exceptional.
"When I watched him in the first game in pre-season, I thought, 'this kid is a proper player'. He can pass the ball well and hits big diagonals. He can pass the ball through the lines and he is a danger in both boxes. And he loves a tackle.
"I remember watching the Leipzig game and he did a tackle right in front of the south stand and the whole place erupted. I was thinking then, 'you're going to go down well with this football club'."
Why Daniel Farke will count on one aspect for Elland Road success
Farke seems to be building something special at Leeds this season.
After the summer the Whites have just had, fans in LS11 are dreaming of qualifying for Europe next season.
The Whites can make their supporters proud by relying on their defensive solidity to consistently win points in the Premier League.
Trafford has been exceptional for the West Yorkshire outfit, while Nico Elvedi has also elevated the quality in depth that Farke possesses in defence.
Jayden Bogle, James Justin, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Melvin Bard have also played a massive role in helping the Peacocks maintain the joint-best defensive record in the league after five games.
It's the Elland Road club's quality at the back, with the likes of Muharemovic, that will likely lead them to success in 2027.