Manchester City are considering making a “huge offer” for Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, according to MilanNews24.
The Italian website claims that AC Milan are also “monitoring” the player’s situation, along with “several Premier League clubs” but City are currently the likeliest to make a bid.
Ricci has been turning heads with his performances at the start of this season with the 23-year-old shining at the base of Torino’s midfield.
The Italian international has spent the last two years with El Toro, having signed from Empoli in the summer of 2022.
A potential replacement for Rodri?
Following confirmation that Rodri will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury, there has been a lot of speculation over whether City will go into the transfer market to replace him.
Manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that there are solutions available in the squad. Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis have ably stepped up to the plate in Rodri’s absence.
The likes of Matheus Nunes and John Stones have also made public statements that they are ready to fill in if called upon. In that context, there is no guarantee that a bid for Ricci (or any other midfielder) will be made in January.
How much would Ricci cost City to buy?
It has been reported in recent days that Torino would want at least €40m (£33.5m) for the Italian, which would not be beyond their transfer budget.
While Ricci does appear to be on the club’s radar, it should be noted that no credible source in the UK has so far confirmed the interest from the Premier League champions.
It is a transfer story to keep an eye on but there is no certainty at this stage that the player will end up at the Etihad.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
