Brighton v Leeds United: Daniel Farke's 'bargain' claim regarding summer signing
DANIEL Farke is not one to usually dispense high praise regarding a Leeds United signing so early in their career at the club.
It's why his positive words regarding Tarik Muharemovic should carry a fair bit of weight.
Brought in from Italian side Sassuolo for a significant £34.1million fee, the Bosnia-Herzegovina international, 23, effectively brought in as the replacement for Pascal Struijk - who faces his former club for the first time since his summer move on Saturday - has slotted in relatively seamlessly so far.
Given that he had played just one full season in one of Europe's major leagues, it augurs well.
Farke said: "Experience is important. But quality is more important.
"He's such a quality player. It's still perhaps a bit too early to sing his praises, but I'm so happy that everyone can see why we spent so much money on him. "It’s great to bring a player in with this quality and if he goes further on like this, then it could really be that we one day speak about bargain transfer.
"I was a bit nervous (beforehand). I'm fully convinced of him and his potential because we watched him so long and spoke to so many people around him about his character.
"I had great conversations with him but if we commit at Leeds United to such a sum, it has to work out and for such a young player with just one season on a proper level at a mid-table Italian side, it was was a big risk.
"But we all so convinced of him and I'm so glad that his early performances are really on the top level."
Farke admits that the deadline-day signing of Melvin Bard has eased a potential defensive issue, with his arrival allowing the club to move James Justin inside from the left due to Joe Rodon's hamstring problem.
Bard has joined an initial season-long loan from Nice. With left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson only just back from injury, it's a timely addition.
Farke added: "I think this put even more pressure on us to bring a wing-back option in with Melvin Bard because it could right now also be that we need James Justin a bit more in the central defence, which he has played as well.
"Of course it's important that Joe comes back as quick as possible. I think the first international break is a bit longer and helps us perhaps at least. It won't help the Welsh team but it will help us a bit in that he doesn't miss too many games."