Atalanta Star Looks Back On Transfer Soap Opera: ‘I Was Very Close To Inter Milan But It Broke Down, It’s In The Past’ | OneFootball

Atalanta midfielder Lazar Samardzic admits that he was “very close” to joining Inter Milan in the summer of 2023 but that the move “broke down.”

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 Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

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.”