In yesterday’s press conference, AC Milan’s sporting director Igli Tare made one thing clear regarding the club’s transfer strategy:
"We are looking for deep-lying midfielders for a three-man midfield. We’re also considering bringing in another player for the midfield. One of the reasons we’re intervening in midfield is that the addition of a deep-lying midfielder, or someone like Modric, significantly raises the technical level of this team."
In this context, the name of Samuele Ricci has resurfaced strongly in recent hours.
Never this close
While recent transfer reports have focused on profiles such as Granit Xhaka, Ardon Jashari, or Javi Guerra, Samuele Ricci of Torino has quietly returned to the spotlight this morning. He is a player the Rossoneri have had on their list for some time, and a negotiation has been underway since December. MilanNews.it confirmed that Milan has reached a full agreement with the player and has made an offer worth around 25 million euros in total, including bonuses. This same figure was reported earlier today by Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio, with the latter adding that Milan has never been this close to signing the player.
What kind of player is Samuele Ricci?
His tactical versatility, refined especially over the past few years at Torino, makes him a modern midfielder adaptable to various systems. Ricci is a different type of player than Reijnders. The Italian scores fewer goals than the Dutchman, but he offers a stronger physical presence and more balance in midfield—qualities that would fit perfectly with Allegri’s philosophy, which favors possession and physicality.
Ricci’s real development came under Ivan Juric, the Croatian coach who made him a more complete player by working on his physique and mentality. The result is a midfielder capable not only of dictating the tempo of the game but also of winning back balls and contributing defensively. With Vanoli now on the Torino bench, Ricci has continued his growth. The player established himself as a holding midfielder in a three-man midfield, offering balance and substance. This is no small factor, given that Igli Tare has stated that Milan’s priority is to sign a player precisely for that role.
Source: Milannews.it
