Manchester City will once again activate its inexhaustible checkbook to sign another midfielder after the loss of Rodrigo Hernández. The 28-year-old suffered a serious injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee last Sunday against Arsenal which will likely keep him out of action for at least nine months.
"They operated on him this morning. The season is over for him," explained the one from Santpedor in the press conference prior to Saturday's duel against Newcastle. In principle, Croatian Mateo Kovacic will shoulder the responsibility of replacing the Spanish international. However, the 'cityzens', like FC Barcelona with Marc-André ter Stegen, can sign another player to cover the loss of the Madrid player. "We don't have any similar player, but the rest of the players together can offer what Rodri has given since he arrived here," Pep explained about the loss of the '16'.
City 'comb' the market to cover Rodri's loss
In that sense, the latest information points to Pep's interest in Samuele Ricci. The 23-year-old midfielder is shining with the surprising leader of Serie A, Torino, a club with which he has a contract until 2026. At the moment, the Italian has not resolved his renewal, so the 'sky blue' team will have free to pay the 36 million euros that, in principle, the Turin team will demand to let Ricci go.
The one from Pontedera played 33 games (2,479 minutes) last season, adding 1 goal and 4 assists. He is a born pivot, very careful with the ball and has an excellent punch. In principle, he should have no problems adapting to English football. In 2024/25 he has started in the five rounds of Serie A, where Paolo Vanoli's team has 11 points (leaders along with Milan). If, in the end, City does not sign him this year, Barça could go for him in 2025, since his price will drop as he begins the last year of his contract.