Aston Villa Eyeing Udinese’s Jaka Bijol to Strengthen Defense
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Aston Villa has initiated contact with Udinese regarding their defender Jaka Bijol. The Villans are exploring options to reinforce their squad during the summer transfer window, with the Slovenia international catching their attention.
Bijol’s Performance in Italy
The 25-year-old center-back has impressed during his time in Serie A.
Last season, Bijol made 25 appearances across all competitions for Udinese, showcasing consistent defensive prowess. His statistics in Serie A are noteworthy, averaging 1.8 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, and 5.7 clearances per game.
Additionally, Bijol demonstrated his ball-playing abilities with a 78.8% pass completion rate.
Bijol’s current contract with Udinese runs until 2027, which could potentially inflate his transfer fee.
Unai Emery’s Potential Target
Bijol could be an excellent addition to Aston Villa’s backline. At 1.90m tall, he brings a commanding physical presence and aerial ability.
His tackling skills and positional awareness make him adept at regaining possession and clearing dangerous situations.
While Bijol has shown promise in Italy, he remains untested in the Premier League. If signed, he would likely need time to adapt to the pace and physicality of English football.
At 25, Bijol is entering his prime years, making him an attractive long-term prospect for Villa.
His acquisition could help the club manage their fixture load more effectively, especially with European competitions on the horizon.
However, Emery would need to exercise patience as Bijol acclimates to the Premier League.
Despite this potential adjustment period, Bijol’s signing could prove beneficial for Aston Villa in the long run.
As Villa looks to bolster their squad for future challenges, securing Bijol’s services could be a shrewd move.
The club may need to act swiftly if they wish to bring the Slovenian defender to Villa Park this summer.