“A Very Talented Player, And We Know Inter Likes Him, But There Hasn’t Been Any Negotiation”

Written By Onyeka Daniel

Ahead of upcoming January transfer window, reigning Serie A champions, Inter Milan have been linked with a move for at least one defender to strengthen their team and depending on the source, different names have been linked with the club, but one name that seems to be a constant is that of Udinese defender Jaka Bijol. But in a realistic world, a move in the summer is the most likely option.

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And this has now been further confirmed by the recent statement from Udinese. The Friulani technical director, Gian Luca Nani admitted that the club is well aware of Inter Milan’s long-standing interest in Bijol. During his latest interview with TV12, the Udinese chief executive hailed the Slovenia international’s unquestionable qualities. Bijol has been on Inter’s wishlist for quite a while now.

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Indeed, as the defending Serie A champions prepare to move on from the duo Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi, and Bijol has emerged as a candidate to fill the vacancy. De Vrij’s contract at Giuseppe Meazza expires at the end of the season. After extending Acerbi’s deal earlier this season, the Nerazzurri could let the Dutch ace leave the club for free next summer.

Therefore, they’re firmly in the market for a new center-back and as it seems, Bijol ticks all the boxes for a type of play they’re eager to recruit. In addition to his well-documented defensive prowess, the 25-year-old is familiar with all Serie A challenges. Indeed, he joined Udinese from CSKA Moscow in the summer of 2022 and he has gone from strength to strength in Italy’s top flight in the past two years.

Despite Udinese’s perennial struggles in the lower reaches, he has been a rare shining light at the Bluenergy Stadium. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that Inter are keen to lure him to Giuseppe Meazza. Though the club would ideally keep hold of their defensive stalwart. “I would have been shocked if a strong player like him wasn’t among Inter’s targets,” the Udinese executive said.

“But that doesn’t mean he will go there. “He is a very talented player, and we know Inter likes him, but as of today, there hasn’t been any negotiation. “Bijol himself knows that if he wants to join a big team, he must perform well here.” He further added. In a related development, Inter’s assistant sporting director, Dario Baccin has been busy scouting the South American talent pool this week.

According to Tuttosport, Baccin has compiled a list of five Argentine youngsters during his brief visit to the country. Baccin departed Europe to embark on an extensive mission of finding top South American talents earlier this week. His first stop was Argentina. And he has already laid his eyes on several promising youngsters.

Indeed, Franco Mastantuono has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects. However, Baccin’s list features four more up-and-coming teenagers. In addition to Mastantuono, Baccin has identified Boca Juniors prodigy Kevin Zenon as a potential option to bolster the wings. Zenon’s clubmate, Exequiel Zeballos, stands as another highly-rated young gun from Boca’s youth academy.

Both players have already established themselves as permanent fixtures in the senior squad. Meanwhile, Marco Genaro Di Cesare of Racing Club is among several promising defensive talents on Baccin’s radar. Used to Simone Inzaghi’s three-man system at the back, Di Cesare could follow in the footsteps of Lautaro Martinez. However, San Lorenzo’s Agustin Glay could beat his compatriot to the punch.

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Though he’s better suited for a wingback role. With plenty of time between now and the next summer transfer window, the club will have enough time to observe and pick the best talents that they can sign by next year June. But of immediate concern to the club will be their upcoming Serie A match against the impressive Parma at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium before traveling away to visit Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.

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