Atalanta Star Looks Back On Transfer Soap Opera: ‘I Was Very Close To Inter Milan But It Broke Down, It's In The Past'
The Serbian international spoke to Hot Sport, via FCInterNews. He looked back on the unfortunate end to his transfer saga with the Nerazzurri, noting that 'it's in the past.'
Midfielder Lazar Samardzic was the subject of a real transfer soap opera in the summer of 2023.
Then an Udinese player, Inter Milan tried to sign the young former RB Leipzig midfielder.
And by all accounts, the Nerazzurri fully agreed a deal with Udinese to sign Samardzic.
Moreover, Inter had seemingly also agreed terms with Samardzic himself on the deal. So much so that the player even underwent his medicals ahead of the move.
However, as it turns out, there were further complications in the deal.
Accounts vary as to what exactly happened that caused the transfer to fall through. However, reports indicate that there were issues with Samardzic's camp demanding commissions that Inter weren't willing to pay.
Lazar Samardzic: 'I Was Very Close To Inter' In 2023 – 'But Talks Broke Down'
FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 14: Lazar Samardzic of Udinese Calcio in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on May 14, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by)
Samardzic looked back on the summer of 2023. 'I was very close,' he said of the links with Inter.
'The deal was practically done,' he continued. 'But only verbally.'
The Serb then noted that 'we were just waiting to finalize the final details of the contract.'
'In the end, those details proved crucial. Because they weren't in line with the agreement. So it broke down.'
'I don't want to go into details,' Samrdzic said.
'But I can say that sometimes things don't happen for a reason.'
Then, the 24-year-old Atalanta midfielder commented that 'Now it's in the past!'
'Now my focus is 100% on Atalanta and Serbia.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan Aiming To Offload Belgium International Imminently
Inter Milan are aiming to offload defender Zinho Vanheusden within the next week or two. This according to Italian outlet FCInterNews. They report that the Belgian has not reported for preseason training, and the Nerazzurri are working with his agents to find a solution. Inter Milan signed defender Zinho Vanheusden to their youth academy all the way back in 2015. The Belgian was very highly rated when the Nerazzurri brought him in from Standard Liege. And the hopes were high for him. Inter would loan Vanheusden back to Standard for some time. Then, they subsequently sold him on a permanent basis. And in the summer of 2021, exercised a buyback clause on the young defender. A succession of loan spells followed. Vanheusden joined Genoa and then AZ Alkmaar on loan. However, these two years were absolutely blighted by injury for the Belgian. Including a broken foot that he sustained while at AZ. Inter Aiming To Offload Zinho Vanheusden In Next Couple Weeks Belgium's Zinho Vanheusden pictured during a press moment of Belgian national soccer team Red Devils to prepare three qualification games for the 2022 World Cup, Tuesday 31 August 2021 in Tubize. BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY (Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images) In the summer of 2023, Inter loaned Vanheusden back to Standard Liege. For whatever reason, the Belgian's boyhood club seemed to be the one place that he could avoid unfortunate injuries and string together some playing time. However, Standard did not sign Vanheusden outright at the end of that loan spell. Therefore, the Belgian joined Mechelen on loan last summer. However, Vanheusden barely featured for the Belgian club. Once again, injuries played a major role in this. Having once looked like he could feature regularly for Belgium, even earning a senior cap, Vanheusden looks very much out in the cold. There would hardly be any chance of the 25-year-old playing for Inter. However, as the Gazzetta note, Vanheusden is still under contract with the Nerazzurri. The Belgian is still on the same five-year deal that he signed when he rejoined Inter in the summer of 2025. According to FCInterNews, though, Inter are looking to facilitate an exit for Vanheusden soon. The Belgian has not reported for preseason training. That in spite of the fact that he is still under contract with the Nerazzurri. According to FCIN, Inter have been in contact with Vanheusden's representatives. They are hoping that they can find a new club for him within the next week or two. Furthermore, FCIN report, Vanheusden is not likely to join another club in Belgium again.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Report – Inter Milan Ready To Make Final Push To Sign Atalanta & Nigeria Star
Inter Milan are ready to try and make the final push to sign Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman next week. This according to today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera, via FCInterNews. Inter have already had one offer for Ademola Lookman rejected. Last week, the Nerazzurri put a bid of around €40 million on the table for the Nigerian international. They hoped that this would be enough to quickly seal a deal. However, Atalanta rejected this first offer. Reportedly, La Dea are holding out for somewhere in the region of €50 million. Atalanta's rejection has not deterred Inter, however. This coming week, the Nerazzurri will make an improved offer. Inter To Make Final Push For Atalanta Forward Ademola Lookman Next Week BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Ademola Lookman of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Atalanta BC and SK Sturm Graz at Stadio di Bergamo on January 21, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by) The Corriere della Sera confirm that Inter's intention is to make an improved offer this coming week. The Nerazzurri could add a few million euros to their initial offer that Atalanta rejected. Inter do not want to delay much longer. They want to wrap up a deal to sign Lookman within the next week or two rather than see the transfer saga drag on well into the month of August.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Done Deal: Ostigard ready for Genoa return from Rennes
Leo Ostigard is reportedly returning to Genoa, on loan with option to buy from Stade Rennes, after leaving Serie A in 2024. According to Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, a deal has been reached and he will be in Italy on Sunday for his medical tests. Their first choice had been Jay Idzes, but Venezia were reportedly asking for €10m to sell, which made Genoa turn back towards Ostigard instead. Genoa look to Ostigard again WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – MAY 09: Leo Ostigard of TSG Hoffenheim looks on during the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Volkswagen Arena on May 09, 2025 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by) The Norway international had already worn the Grifone jersey for six months in 2022 when he was on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion. He made 15 appearances for the club, scoring one goal and receiving two red cards. Ostigard remained in Serie A after that, as Brighton sold him to Napoli for €5.5m and he helped them win the Serie A title before moving on to Stade Rennes in 2024. The central defender spent the last six months on loan at TSG Hoffenheim in Germany. Between Genoa and Napoli, he has made 46 Serie A appearances during his playing career and will now return to Italian football for the 2025-26 campaign.
