Inter Milan are reportedly looking to the future, with plans already in motion for the summer transfer window of 2025. According to Il Corriere dello Sport (via FCInterNews), the Nerazzurri have identified Udinese’s Jaka Bijol as a top target for their defensive lineup.
While the club is currently focused on finding a young, left-footed defender to serve as an understudy to Alessandro Bastoni, their long-term strategy involves a more significant overhaul of the backline. This plan is largely influenced by the contract situations of veteran defenders Francesco Acerbi (36) and Stefan de Vrij (32), both of whom have deals expiring in 2025.
The club is unlikely to retain both players beyond next summer, potentially creating an opening for a new central defender. Bijol, a 25-year-old Slovenian international, is seen as an ideal candidate to fill this role.
Since joining Udinese from CSKA Moscow two years ago, Bijol has established himself as a key player, regularly featuring at the heart of their three-man defense. This experience makes him well-suited to Simone Inzaghi’s tactical system at Inter.
However, Inter may face competition for Bijol’s signature. Recent reports suggest that Bologna is interested in securing the defender this summer, which could complicate Inter’s plans.
Despite his relatively young age, Bijol brings considerable international experience, having already earned 54 caps for Slovenia. He was also a standout performer in Slovenia’s impressive Euro 2024 campaign.
With Bijol’s contract at Udinese running until 2027, Inter Milan will need to plan carefully and potentially act decisively to secure their target in the coming year.
