New Udinese sporting director Federico Balzaretti says the club wants to keep a hold of stars like Lazar Samardžić and Beto, insisting they have no need to sell. The Bianconeri have a number of players that are being linked with moves this summer, not least Samardžić, who is already being courted by Inter and Juventus. Speaking with Sky Sport Italia, Balzaretti explained the clubs stance on transfers, and why they will only entertain big offers for their stars:
“The policy will always be the one that has accompanied this club. If offers come from big clubs we will sit down and discuss them.”
“Samardzic and Beto are strong players, very strong, and they are our property. We would like to keep them, we have no need to sell. It is clear that if concrete offers arrive from very big clubs we will sit down with the ownership to discuss them, as has always been the case.”
“Beto? Surely he is a player who can have the characteristics to replace someone like Osimhen. He has not yet expressed 100 percent of his potential, I had talked about him when he arrived in Italy: he impressed me, he is a force of nature, he is complete. He attacks depth like the greats. We are keeping him and pampering him as much as possible, then if a top club comes along he will sit there, we start from the value of a great player.”
“Pafundi? To date I think he should be free to act, his qualities are best expressed in the last 30 meters. He has extraordinary shooting range, I am curious to see him in training. One of my goals is to enhance local talents like him.”
“I will work hard on it. You don’t have to put too much pressure on him, Udine is the right place. I am curious to see him at work, thinking of him as a midfielder like Samardzic though may be a bit far-fetched.”
[Image from Udinese]
