Arsenal and Manchester City identify 23-year-old Italian midfielder as January transfer target: Reports
Arsenal and Manchester City have reportedly identified Italian midfielder Samuele Ricci as a target for the upcoming January transfer window. The 23-year-old was loaned to Torino with a conditional obligation to purchase by his boyhood club Empoli in 2022.
Samuele Ricci, whose contract with Torino is valid until the summer of 2026, has recorded three goals and six assists in 86 appearances for the club so far. His performance has caught the attention of prominent clubs, with the Serie A side expecting offers of around €50 million for him in the next transfer window, as per Caught Offside.
Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Ricci as a replacement for Rodri, who sustained a cruciate ligament tear and is expected to be unavailable for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly looking to strengthen their midfield and have Atalanta's Ederson on their target list along with Samuele Ricci. According to Caught Offside, Arsenal might offer the Empoli graduate a long-term role, with Jorginho's and Thomas Partey's contracts expiring next summer.
Caught Offside also reports that both Premier League giants have evaluated the €50 million-rated Italian midfielder at around €30 million, which can be an issue during negotiations.
Samuele Ricci on transfer interest from Manchester City
Samuele Ricci addressed reports linking him with a potential transfer to Manchester City in the upcoming transfer window. The 23-year-old mentioned that even though he feels good about the speculation, he is more focused on improving on the pitch.
In an interview with Sky Sport Italia, Ricci said (via TEAMtalk):
“I’ve learned to understand a little: as soon as you do well, lots of things come out. They’re nice but you shouldn’t let it get to your head. I still have to improve on many things. I look at them, friends send me articles. However, I think more about concrete things and that is the green rectangle [pitch].”
Torino sporting director Davide Vagnati also addressed the rumors about Samuele Ricci's potential transfer to Etihad and told Sky Sports Italia (via GOAL):
"I won’t comment on Manchester City. What I can say is that we signed Ricci when he was very young and it was an important investment, we and the President believed in him and spent big money for this player."
"He believed in his work, has improved a great deal physically, he already had the vision, and I think he is capable of playing for any coach or club," added Davide Vagnati.
Samuele Ricci has been a regular for Torino so far this season, recording one assist in nine appearances.