Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined a growing list of clubs chasing a Torino midfielder who is turning plenty of heads with his outstanding displays in Serie A this season.
Midfield is an area of the pitch where Spurs are expected to undergo major surgery this summer, especially given that Ange Postecoglou has failed to find the right mix in his engine room to properly compete against the better teams domestically this season.
A deal is in place to sign Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis for £21million as part of Gio Lo Celso’s return to Spain last summer, but Tottenham are expected to sign at least two new midfielders as they prepare for a clearout.
Yves Bissouma will almost certainly be moved on, while there is a growing feeling that Rodrigo Bentancur could be offloaded to Spain given Atletico Madrid’s interest in the Uruguay international.
Signing Cardoso would certainly add more steel to the Spurs midfield, but they still lack a player capable of orchestrating games centrally – and that is where the links to Torino star Samuele Ricci come in.
A report from The Boy Hotspur states that Tottenham have joined a transfer race that includes the likes of Juventus, AC Milan, Inter, Liverpool and Manchester City to land the 23-year-old talent.
Ricci has showcased his versatility in Torino’s engine room this season, dictating play with his impressive passing range and astute positional sense.
The report adds that Torino want €35-40million (£30-35m) for the player and that Premier League clubs, including Spurs, are closely monitoring his situation with a view to making a concrete move.
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Torino ready to play ball over Ricci exit
Torino president Urbano Cairo is reportedly willing to sell Ricci if a suitor meets that asking price, while the player himself is eyeing a project that suits his growing development.
If he did arrive in north London, Ricci would be working with a younger group of midfielders that includes the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr – along with Cardoso, also 23, if he puts pen to paper.
His overall stats this season make for impressive viewing, with Ricci completing almost 90 percent of his passes in Serie A while playing as either a defensive pivot or further forward in the No.8 role.
The Torino star has also won eight caps for Italy, with the media in his homeland comparing his playing style to that of Azzurri legend Andrea Pirlo.
Indeed, speaking after Torino drew with Udinese back in January, former Serie A coach Giacomo Ferri was gushing over Ricci’s ability to dominate a game from the middle of the park.
He told reporters: “Samuele [Ricci] has become a real gem.
“He now handles both phases of the game: he directs, creates, and finishes. His consistency is exceptional, and he has reached the level of the most celebrated midfielders seen at Torino.
“I expect the national team coach to make him a key player for the upcoming matches. Moreover, Samuele is also a serious and modest guy, truly a treasure for the club.”
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