Panathinaikos forward Filip Djuricic praised his compatriot Lazar Samardzic and suggested that it ‘would be much easier’ for the Udinese starlet to play for Juventus.
The 21-year-old emerged as one of the most exciting young midfielders in Serie A last season and was heavily targeted by Inter in the summer transfer window. He was only a step away from completing a move before everything collapsed at the final hurdle.
Samardzic has continued to do well this season despite Udinese’s woes and has now become one of Juventus’ top midfield targets. Off-pitch issues with Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli could push the Old Lady to make a move in the January transfer window.
Speaking to Tuttosport via TMW, Djuricic discussed Samardzic’s qualities and why he’d be a great fit for Massimiliano Allegri’s squad in Turin.
“Lazar was born as a trequartista, but few now play with a player behind the forwards. He learnt to play as a central midfielder very well in Udine, so he would have no problem adapting to Juventus’ system.
“With Samardzic, Juve would become even more of a Scudetto contender. In the midst of so many great players, he can do even better.
“Paradoxically, for someone like him it would be much easier to play for Juve than Udinese. I always watch his matches and, if he is strong at Udinese, he would become very strong in Turin.”
Inter were willing to pay around €22m total for Samardzic in the summer, setting a baseline for possible talks between Udinese and Juventus in the January transfer window.