Bijol ‘ready for next step’ after Milan, Roma and Leeds United links | OneFootball

Udinese defender Jaka Bijol admits he feels ‘ready for the next step’ in his career amid interest from Milan, Roma and especially Leeds United.

The 26-year-old centre-back attracted plenty of attention last summer thanks to his performances for Slovenia at EURO 2024.

He remained with Udinese, but confessed to Gianluca Di Marzio’s site that perhaps the time has come to move on after interest from Milan.

Bijol targeted by teams in Italy and UK

Slovenia’s defender #06 Jaka Bijol gestures as he warms up before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C football match between England and Slovenia at the Cologne Stadium in Cologne on June 25, 2024. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

“We are talking about a truly big club, but these are just rumours and there are always plenty of those in Italy. It is also true that I feel ready for the next step, we’ll see if it happens this summer or not,” replied Bijol.

“You can never tell in football. I am grateful to Udinese and very happy here, but I would like to make that step up.”

Would the 26-year-old have any preferences between Milan, Roma, and Premier League sides?

“No, I do not. At the end of the summer, I might still be an Udinese player. We’ll see what happens, nothing can be taken for granted in football.”

Meanwhile, the first Premier League club to really step forward for Bijol is Leeds United.

According to Tuttomercatoweb pundit Marco Conterio, the newly-promoted side is prepared to get close to the €20m asking price set by Udinese.

His contract runs to June 2027 and he has been with the Friulani since a €4m transfer from CSKA Moscow in 2022.

Bijol made 37 appearances for Udinese this season between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, contributing an impressive two goals and two assists from central defence.