AC Milan have identified Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders as the cornerstones of their midfield, but depth remains a concern. The Rossoneri management is now considering a January reinforcement, with Samuele Ricci of Torino emerging as the top target for Giorgio Furlani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Geoffrey Moncada.
Calciomercato report that Milan, and particularly Moncada, have been monitoring Ricci’s performances and development for some time. The 23-year-old has now reached a level of technical, tactical, and personal maturity that has changed the club’s perspective: he’s no longer just a future prospect but a potential immediate addition.
The Rossoneri are increasingly inclined to make a move for Ricci in the January transfer window. After following his progress at Empoli and Torino, Milan sees him as the ideal profile to complete their midfield immediately, not just for the next season as previously considered. Upon returning from the Supercoppa in Saudi Arabia, the club plans to delve deeper into this potential deal.
A key factor that could facilitate Milan’s pursuit of Ricci is the potential departure of Fikayo Tomori, who has attracted interest from Juventus and Premier League clubs. Milan values the English center-back between 25-30 million euros, and his sale could provide additional funds for investment.
However, the operation won’t be straightforward. Torino has historically been a difficult negotiating partner for Milan, as evidenced by previous failed attempts for players like Belotti and Buongiorno. The initial asking price for Ricci is high, no less than 30-35 million euros, and there’s competition from other clubs in Italy and abroad.
Further complicating matters is the situation at Torino. Club president Urbano Cairo is facing heavy criticism from fans, and he recently promised that Ricci would “definitely stay at Torino.” Despite these challenges, Milan’s intentions for January are clear: they need midfield reinforcement to support Fofana and Reijnders, possibly two if Ismael Bennacer also departs. Samuele Ricci remains one of the most intriguing options for the Rossoneri.
