Lazar Samardzic, a transfer target for West Ham United, recently discussed candidly securing a move to Serie A in 2024.
amardzic is a 21-year-old central midfielder who was born in Germany but represents Serbia on the international stage. After spending time at Hertha Berlin and RB Leipzig, he signed for Italian club Udinese in August 2021. Overall, Samardzic has made 69 appearances for Udinese and has registered nine goals and seven assists in that time. This season, his record stands at two goals from six league outings.
During the summer transfer window, Samardzic was heavily tipped to swap Udinese for their Serie A rivals Inter. The two clubs agreed a deal worth €16million (then £13.8m), only for the transfer to collapse as a result of a disagreement over money between Samardzic’s father and agent Rafaela Pimenta.
Following the failure of the playmaker’s Inter transfer, West Ham was shortly identified as the team leading the race to sign him. In the end, the Irons never had an in-depth conversation with Udinese, but they are still keeping an eye on his status in preparation for a potential swoop.
And now David Moyes’ team has received a significant boost. Samardzic highlighted the Inter discussions in an interview with Sport Week, a publication of Gazzetta dello Sport, and also dropped a clue regarding a transfer for the summer of 2019.
“[The failed Inter move] was never a matter of money. I am aware of what took place, but it is finished, and I have no further interest in discussing it.
“I like to think positively, and Udinese is a good team and a well-run club. I
f I remain another year, it will be ideal for me.
“Let’s see if I can have a terrific season here. I didn’t talk to my father because there was no need since I fully understood everything that had happened.
“I’ve never spoken with [Inter manager Simone] Inzaghi, but when I got back to Udine, [Udinese manager Andrea] Sottil told me, ‘I thought by now I would only see you on television, with the Inter shirt, and instead you’re here,'” Samardzic continued. I’m content.
Then Samardzic said something about his future that was eye-opening. I’m prepared for a premier club. I’m 21 years old, and in two years at most, I’ll be mentally and physically even more prepared. I need to do better on the field in attacking areas,” he remarked.
Samardzic appears to be eager to join West Ham and will likely accept if they can work out a deal with Udinese to do so.
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