Inter Milan eye Bijol as heir to Acerbi and De Vrij

Inter Milan are  already looking ahead to future defensive reinforcements, with Udinese’s Jaka Bijol emerging as their top target to eventually replace aging center-backs Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij.

Corriere dello Sport report how the 25-year-old Slovenian defender has been on Inter’s radar for months and is now considered the prime candidate to rejuvenate the Nerazzurri’s backline next season. With both Acerbi (36) and de Vrij (32) in the final year of their contracts, Inter is planning ahead to ensure a smooth transition.

Bijol has impressed so far this season, playing every minute of Udinese’s first three Serie A matches as they’ve collected two wins and a draw. He also starred for Slovenia at Euro 2024, further cementing his status as one of Serie A’s top young defenders.

Inter see Bijol as an ideal fit tactically, given his experience playing in a back three system at Udinese. At 25, he also aligns with the club’s strategy of building a young, valuable squad for the future.

While Inter made initial contact with Bijol’s representatives in recent months, other priorities took precedence in the summer transfer window. However, with the Slovenian remaining at Udinese, Inter are now positioned to make a stronger push.

The Nerazzurri may look to lay the groundwork for a potential deal in January, with an eye toward completing the transfer next summer. By identifying Bijol early as their top defensive target, Inter aims to be fully prepared when the time comes to refresh their backline.