Report: Club now have agreement with 'exceptional' player that he can leave after claims Liverpool want him
01/02/2025 02:00 PM
Liverpool still look in need of one or two additions to their squad despite their brilliant start in the Premier League.
The Reds look good to collect a 20th league title this season after starting the new year on top of the pile.
However, with the January transfer window now open, fans will be hoping that Liverpool show the ambition that may be necessary to get them over the line.
One thing that plenty of supporters would like to see is a new midfielder added to the Liverpool squad.
Although Ryan Gravenberch has been sensational in a new role this season, there’s a feeling that the Dutchman needs a more appropriate back-up.
With that in mind, Liverpool have been linked with Samuele Ricci of Torino. And after Ricci signed a new deal with the Italian club on Thursday, it emerged that he could soon be on the market anyway.
Samuele Ricci and Torino have ‘gentleman’s agreement’
Ricci has stood out as one of the best emerging midfielders in Serie A this season.
Already a regular at Torino for three seasons, the 22-year-old has become a more permanent fixture in the Italian national team and looks set for a move in the near future.
While news of his extension in Turin may have slowed that talk somewhat, Italian outlet Calciomercato report that Ricci’s new deal will actually enable him to leave, rather than hold him back.
They claim that Torino have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the former Empoli man that they will not stand in his way if a suitable offer arrives.
READ MORE: Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton waiting to be given green light over January move
With Ricci’s previous deal set to run out in 2026, the extension has given Torino the chance to get a better deal than they might originally have done for the midfielder.
According to Calciomercato, the Granata would be happy to let Ricci leave if an offer of £20-25m comes in. Liverpool are not mentioned in the report, although both AC Milan and Man City are both named as being interested.
Liverpool should take closer look at Ricci
If Liverpool are looking for someone to come in and play as a rotational option with Gravenberch rather than a definite starter, then Ricci could make a lot of sense.
A spanner in the works may be that Liverpool have been told Martin Zubimendi is available having decided he’s ready to leave Real Sociedad. But Liverpool also know that Zubimendi will cost around £50m.
Given how good Gravenberch has been, it now seems a little more unlikely that the Reds will want to shell out so much on another midfielder.
As a result, the fee for Ricci plus his probable availability make him an interesting option. Ricci was called ‘exceptional‘ by former Torino player Giacomo Ferri recently and he is young enough to develop further.
One to keep an eye on, as he’ll certainly be on the move before too long.
