Torino president Urbano Cairo has insisted that Manchester City target Samuele Ricci won’t leave the Serie A side during the January transfer window.
Speaking about his club’s transfer plans, Cairo told Radio Sportiva (quotes via Football Italia) that Ricci will not be sold:
“I have total faith in coach Paolo Vanoli, the team is with him and we want to intervene in January to give him a few more players. [Samuele] Ricci will certainly remain at Torino.”
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It had been reported that Torino would be willing to offload Ricci for around €50m (£42m) but it appears their stance has changed.
Ricci has been learning from Rodri
When links to City (and Premier League rivals Arsenal) first emerged back in October, the midfielder admitted that he was flattered by the interest but he was focused on improving his game. He even revealed that he was hoping to learn from a certain Ballon d’Or winner:
“My coach sends me videos to study, many of them are of Rodri. You can see the importance of the little things. I still have to improve on so many little things, like my positioning.”
City are likely to sign a midfielder
Respected sources have said the chances are high that the Premier League champions will reinforce their midfield options in January.
Based on Cairo’s remarks, it doesn’t look like Ricci is a realistic target but other midfielders will be considered. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Atalanta’s Ederson, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller may all be looked at if reports are to be believed.
Considering City are already 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool, though, it may come too late for them to mount a title challenge.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here