In a recent report, journalist Mark Brus revealed that Arsenal are set to rival Manchester City for Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci. It has been mentioned that the Gunners are keen on recruiting the Italian talent in the January transfer window.
Ricci’s Impressive Run Of Form In Serie A
Ricci has made a solid start to this campaign as he has managed to put in a few dominant performances at the centre of the park. The 23-year-old has made nine appearances for the Italian club this season, securing one assist in the process across all competitions.
The Italian midfield ace has proven his worth in the middle of the park by averaging 0.7 tackles, 1.7 clearances and 0.7 shots per 90 minutes in Serie A. He was even accurate when distributing the ball from midfield after completing 90.8% of his attempted passes in the Italian top tier (stats via whoscored).
His current contract at the Italian club will run out in the summer of 2026. Thus, Arsenal could potentially land him on a cut-price deal next summer. However, the Gunners would have to make a convincing offer if they want to sign him this January.
Is Ricci A Decent Fit For Arsenal Boss Mikel Arteta?
Ricci can get stuck in with a few solid tackles to make life tough for the opposition at the centre of the park. He usually clears the danger when required and can shoot the ball well from long range. However, only time will tell whether the Italian sensation can adapt to the physicality and high intensity of the Premier League.
Ricci is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also operate as a box-to-box midfielder if asked to do so. His quality and versatility make him a good fit for Arsenal‘s needs next year.
Ricci has what it takes to serve as an ideal, long-term successor to Jorginho at the North London club. We can expect him to bring more bite and steel to Mikel Arteta‘s midfield. The Italian talent could even help Arsenal challenge across all fronts in the coming years.
At 23, Ricci has the potential to be a world-class player in his position someday. Thus, Arteta would be wise to try everything in his power to snap him up in 2025.
