A general view from inside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena
Hot property... Udinese are for sale, and that could see players leave the Stadio Friuli
(Image: Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Aston Villa could exploit efforts to sell a Serie A club to seal potentially two transfers now that the summer window is open for business.
The Pozzo family, also the owners of Championship side Watford, are believed to be in talks to sell Udinese - and it is thought this could bring about some major sales at Stadio Friuli.
Jaka Bijol, a 26-year-old Slovenian international, was reportedly targeted by the Villains last summer after he played a starring role at Euro 2024 in Germany. He is valued at around €25m.
Italian agent Claudio Pasqualin spoke to Messaggero Veneto about Bijol’s furture, and believes the Premier League could be a good destination for the defender.
It is thought Bijol would prefer to be playing Champions League football, but it is unlikely he would turn down an offer if the numbers were right. Pasqualin believes several Udinese stars will be sold this summer, including Bijol.
He said: “Given the ability of the Pozzos, I would say yes, even if they have never sold in a hurry. Haste, in this case, could make potential buyers procrastinate, influencing the negotiations, so I believe that the objective will be achieved. Even if not easily achieved in a short time.”
Also interesting Villa is said to be Bijol's team-mate and fellow defender Oumar Solet, with the 25-year-old Frenchman also linked with the Villans last year before joining Udinese in January. He previously spent four years at Red Bull Salzburg, making 106 appearances for the Austrian club.
Bijol looks like being a player in demand with reports suggesting Nottingham Forest are keen, plus Italian clubs AC Milan, AS Roma and Fiorentina.
Solet, meanwhile, is said to be attracting interest from West Ham in the Premier League, plus Inter Milan in Italy, although his reported €30m price tag may be too high for the Champions League finalists.
Villa are looking to strengthen their squad after finishing a respectable sixth in the Premier League and aim to build on that result for next season. It is expected to be a busy few months for them now that the latest transfer window has officially opened.