As the international break unfolds, transfer market discussions are heating up, not just for the January window but with an eye on the summer of 2025. Inter Milan are among the clubs looking to strengthen their squad, particularly in defense, given the advancing age of their current center-back pairing, Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij.
Calciomercato report how one name that continues to surface in Inter’s scouting reports is Jaka Bijol, the 24-year-old Slovenian defender and vice-captain of Udinese. Bijol has been a consistent presence in Serie A since joining Udinese in the 2022-23 season, following stints with CSKA Moscow and Hannover 96. This season, he has started all nine of Udinese’s matches across Serie A and Coppa Italia, even wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Florian Thauvin.
Several factors make Bijol an attractive prospect for Inter. The club is keen on rejuvenating its defensive line, which has shown some vulnerabilities in the early stages of this season. Bijol’s age aligns perfectly with this strategy. Moreover, Udinese’s reported asking price of around 15 million euros falls within Inter’s budget constraints.
Tactically, Bijol is well-suited to Inter’s system, having experience playing as a central defender in a back three. This familiarity with the formation could ease his transition into Simone Inzaghi’s setup.
However, Bijol’s performance in Udinese’s recent match against Inter was not his best, particularly in the lead-up to Lautaro Martinez’s second goal. This has raised some questions about his readiness for a step up to a top club. Additionally, his limited international experience might be a concern for Inter, who may also be considering other options that offer more in terms of ball-playing ability and pace.
Despite these reservations, Bijol remains a serious target for Inter as they plan for the future of their defense. With de Vrij’s contract set to expire in 2025 and Acerbi advancing in age, the Slovenian defender could provide a long-term solution for the Nerazzurri’s backline. As the transfer market evolves, Inter will continue to monitor Bijol’s progress, weighing his potential against other defensive prospects as they prepare for a possible changing of the guard in their defensive ranks.
