Manchester City have been handed another significant injury blow this season.
After being forced off the pitch in the first half of City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, Rodri will now be spending the rest of the season on the sidelines according to Pep Guardiola.
Even though City have the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes as some of their other midfield options, Guardiola has revealed that he has spoken with Txiki Begiristain about potentially signing a midfielder in the January transfer window to replace the injured Spaniard.
In fact, some details have now emerged regarding a midfield player who has found himself on City’s radar ahead of the upcoming winter transfer period.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Man City eyeing January transfer for Samuele Ricci
According to a recent report from The Guardian City are weighing up a January transfer move for Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, who could cost the Blues up to £30m.
The report also adds that the Italian club would be reluctant to sell the 23-year-old midway through the season, although the prospect of joining the Blues would be hard to resist for the player.
Who is Samuele Ricci?
Having worked his way through the youth ranks at Empoli, Ricci joined Torino on an initial loan deal in the 2022 January transfer window before making the deal permanent in the following summer.
With 84 appearances for his current side under his belt, the defensive-midfielder has chipped in with three goals and six assists.
In 32 Serie A appearances last season, Ricci ended the campaign with the fourth-highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (60) at the club as well as not making even one error that led to an opponent having a shot at goal.
He also had the third-highest total of passes into the final third of the pitch which shows how much of a forward-thinking player he is.
Looking ahead to January, if City feel that an extra midfielder is needed for the squad and that Ricci would be a suitable and effective addition to the team, they should look to negotiate a deal with Torino for him.
