AC Milan’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements continues, with Lazar Samardzic remaining a target despite the club’s focus on Youssouf Fofana from Monaco. Udinese’s sporting director, Gianluca Nani, has hinted at ongoing interest in the Serbian midfielder from northern Italian clubs, likely referring to Milan.
Calciomercato report how during the official presentation of Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez, who returned to Udinese after leaving Inter Milan as a free agent, Nani addressed the speculation surrounding Samardzic. He acknowledged that the player is one of the most sought-after in their squad, with inquiries coming from clubs in northern Italy.
Nani emphasized Udinese’s reluctance to part ways with Samardzic easily, stating their intention to retain their best players unless satisfactory offers are received. He noted that while they might be more open to significant bids in certain positions where they have depth, Samardzic’s role is one where they’ve recently strengthened with the acquisition of Dutch midfielder Jurgen Ekkelenkamp.
The 22-year-old Samardzic has been on Milan’s radar for some time, dating back to Paolo Maldini’s tenure as a director. The Serbian international joined Udinese in the summer of 2021 for €3 million from RB Leipzig, signing a contract until June 2026. In his three seasons in Serie A, Samardzic has impressed with 13 goals and 10 assists in 98 appearances, including notable performances against top clubs like Roma, Napoli, Milan, and Inter.
Interestingly, Samardzic was close to joining Inter Milan last year, even undergoing medical examinations in Milan. However, the deal fell through due to a breakdown in negotiations with Inter’s management, leading to his return to Udinese.
