Manchester City targeted Torino star Ricci to replace Rodri | OneFootball

Manchester City are looking to Serie A side Torino and Italy international Samuele Ricci to replace injured Rodri, claims The Guardian newspaper.

Pep Guardiola is forced to find reinforcements in the January transfer window after the devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury to Rodri.

That ruled him out for the rest of the season and his absence was sorely felt in today’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle United.

According to The Guardian, Manchester City are turning to Serie A for his replacement, setting their sights on Ricci.

Ricci catches Guardiola’s eye

The midfielder only turned 23 last month and has four senior caps for Italy, having been cut at the last minute from the squad for EURO 2024.

He is a key part of Luciano Spalletti’s new Azzurri era, playing in the 3-1 Nations League victory away to France.

Torino paid €9.5m plus bonuses to sign Ricci from Empoli in 2022 and as part of that deal owe the club a 10 per cent cut of his future transfer fee.

Milan and Napoli had already tried to sign Ricci over the summer, helping his price-tag levitate to €35m.

The right-footed midfielder is the second top player in Europe’s main leagues for ball retention, behind only Bayern Munich and Germany veteran Joshua Kimmich.