FILE PHOTO: The UniCredit-Banca di Roma bank headquarters is seen in Rome, Italy September 30, 2018. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's biggest lender, UniCredit CRDI.MI, will stick to organic growth in its new business plan, Chief Executive Jean Pierre Mustier said in an interview published in La Stampa newspaper on Monday, saying European mergers were difficult.

"I have always been clear," he said when asked about speculation that UniCredit could merge with either France's Societe Generale SOGN.PA or Germany's Commerzbank CBKG.DE.

“Our plan is (built) on an organic basis, the management is concentrated on its execution. European mergers are very difficult and the new plan will be in line with the previous one, with the goal to create value for the shareholders.”

UniCredit is to unveil a new business plan late this year.