Real Madrid will reportedly compete with Manchester City to sign 23-year-old Italian midfielder Samuele Ricci from Serie A club Torino.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Samuele Ricci is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Torino midfielder is also a target for Manchester City. However, the Premier League champions will face stiff competition from their La Liga counterparts for the Italian international.
Samuele Ricci and his story
Samuele Ricci has made considerable progress since joining Torino from Empoli in January 2022. A native of Pontedera, the youngster spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at Empoli. However, he has risen in prominence during his spell with Torino.
The Granata initially signed the 23-year-old on a loan deal in January 2022 before completing a permanent move in the subsequent summer transfer window. Ricci has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for the Serie A club while chipping in with three goals and six assists.
The Italian midfielder’s exploits for Torino have helped him break into his national side, and he has made six appearances thus far for the Azzurri. Meanwhile, Ricci’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile outfits across Europe. Widespread reports have linked the Torino midfielder with Manchester City, with Real Madrid the latest club to show interest in him.
A man in demand
Manchester City’s interest in Samuele Ricci is understandable. The Premier League champions are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the January transfer window after losing Rodri to a season-ending knee injury. So, Ricci is a viable target for Manchester City ahead of this winter.
As for Real Madrid, Ricci has been on the club’s radar for a long time. However, the reigning La Liga champions did not pull the trigger in the summer transfer window, although they might need a new midfielder next year. So, the Torino midfielder is an option worth considering for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s entry into the equation will complicate matters for Manchester City, although the Premier League champions should fancy their chances. It will be interesting to see where the 23-year-old lands next year.
