A new name has emerged in AC Milan’s pursuit of midfield reinforcements with Lazar Samardzic of Udinese now a target, according to a report.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan have reignited their pursuit of Samardzic after previous links, a left-footed central midfielder with great quality and vision of the game, who can be used as a box-to-box player or an attacking midfielder.
He is a very different profile to Youssouf Fofana who is more physical and plays further back, leaving Milan at a crossroads. They have Fofana’s approval but they want to close the deal on their own terms, not overpaying, and that is why alternatives are being looked at.
The club have moved forward with an offer for Samardzic – both to the player and one for Udinese – less than the €20m overall that they were ready to invest for Fofana, although the source does not name the figure.
Compared to the Frenchman, Lazar is three years younger but already much more experienced in Serie A. He arrived in Udine in the summer of 2021 and has recently concluded his third season in Italy.
However, it’s time for a new adventure and that is what Samardzic will probably tell the Friuli management. His performance has grown with experience: 22 appearances and 2 goals on his debut in Serie A, 37 appearances and five goals two years ago then six goals in 34 games last season.
As we have seen both for his club and his national team, Samardzic has been used various areas of midfield and also in the playmaker role. He is the ‘wildcard’ that can allow Fonseca to vary his formations.
Last summer he could have become an Inter player. He did a medical and almost signed the contract, before the agreement fell through due to misunderstandings between his father-agent and the club, ones that Milan would have to be careful not to repeat.