The Technical Director of Udinese has denied that Inter Milan have made an approach to sign defender Jaka Bijol.
The Friulani’s Technical Director Gianluca Nani said that his club have never considered selling Bijol in an interview with TV Play, via FCInterNews.
Bijol is a player who has been linked to Inter in recent months.
It hasn’t just been the Nerazzurri, either. Reportedly, a number of big clubs in Serie A have been eyeing up the 25-year-old.
Bijol is now in his third season in Serie A. He joined Udinese from CSKA Moscore in the summer of 2022.
And the Slovenian international has impressed with his performances in the Italian top flight.
Bijol has become a real rock at the centre of Udinese’s back three.
Meanwhile, Bijol also stood out at the Euros with Slovenia.
The Udinese defender put in strong man-marking displays against such big name strikers as England’s Harry Kane and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, keeping both off the scoresheet.
Udinese Technical Director Denies Inter Approach For Jaka Bijol
The links to Inter have a certain logic behind them for Bijol.
The Nerazzurri are certainly set to be in the market for a central defender who can play in the middle of their back three.
Right now Inter have two main options in the role. Those are Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij.
However, both of that ex-Lazio pair are now well into their thirties. Acerbi will be 37 at the end of the season, whilst de Vrij will be 33.
Therefore, it won’t be long before Inter sign a defender with a similar profile to Acerbi and de Vrij.
Bijol is certainly a player in that mould.
The Slovenian is a physically strong defender with good anticipation. He is familiar with defending his penalty area in the centre of a back three with Udinese.
But according to Friulani Technical Director Nani, “There was not any disturbance from Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio,” in the summer regarding Bijol.
“Of course he’s a footballer who also showed his qualities at the Euros,” Nani continued.
“He’s a great player. He’s also attracting interest from clubs abroad.”
“But we never took a transfer into consideration with him,” the Udinese executive claimed.
“It’s normal for big clubs to be keen on him. But he’s totally focused on the project here.”