AC Milan have taken a significant step towards securing their top summer transfer target, Samuele Ricci, by reaching a personal agreement with the Torino midfielder. The 23-year-old Italian international has emerged as Milan’s primary objective for the upcoming transfer window, with the club’s leadership unanimously approving his profile.
Calciomercato report how Milan’s interest in Ricci is not new. CEO Giorgio Furlani had made a concrete attempt to sign the player in the final days of the January transfer window, proposing a loan with an obligation to buy based on certain conditions. However, Torino opted to postpone any potential departure until July, hoping to spark an international bidding war for their prized asset.
The Rossoneri see Ricci as the perfect fit for their project. Young, Italian, and already capable of making an immediate impact, he embodies the characteristics Milan are looking for to strengthen their midfield. While personal terms have been virtually agreed upon, the more challenging negotiation with Torino’s president Urbano Cairo lies ahead.
Torino’s valuation for Ricci starts at over €30 million, a substantial figure that Milan will attempt to reduce by including player exchanges in the deal. The Serie A giants are prepared to offer technical counterparts to lower the cash sum required, demonstrating their commitment to landing the midfielder.
Despite interest from city rivals Inter, Ricci is said to prioritize a move to the red and black side of Milan. This preference could prove crucial in the negotiations, potentially giving Milan an edge in what is shaping up to be a Milan derby off the pitch.
