AC Milan should soon be able to announce the signing of Samuele Ricci from Torino, and it is the kind of ‘gamble’ that has paid off in the past.
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Fabrizio Romano tweeted the ‘Here we go’ on Saturday afternoon for the Ricci deal, and Milan are now poised to sign him for a total package of €25m. To be precise, it is a €23m fee as the fixed part and €2m in bonuses.
Ricci like Pirlo and Tonali?
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanPress) highlights the similarities between Ricci and his illustrious predecessors, Andrea Pirlo and Sandro Tonali. It is ultimately an investment driven by future potential, and it certainly served Milan well in the latter two circumstances.
In all of this there is a connection with Inter, too. The Nerazzurri underestimated Pirlo and allowed him to cross the divide, while they were interested in Tonali but didn’t get things over the line before Milan entered the running, and the same applies for Ricci.
The Diavolo hope to gain from it, knowing that Ricci has been courted for a long time not only by their domestic rivals but also by several big European clubs. The 24-year-old has been waiting since January for the Rossoneri’s move.
Pirlo headed to Milanello at 22, Tonali at 20. He can further mature and will improve next to a team-mate like Luka Modric, who knows a thing or two about winning at the highest leave. Could Samuele represent the beginning of a great return of Milan to the top of the Italian league?