Torino star Samuele Ricci has admitted he is flattered by reports linking him with Premier League giants Manchester City and says he studies videos of midfield master Rodri.

Reports in Italy have claimed the English champions have set their sights on the 23-year-old since losing Rodri to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Ricci is a full Italy international, having made his debut in 2022, and joined Torino in the same year. He has drawn stylistic comparisons to Azzurri great Andrea Pirlo and is said to be interesting a number of other European giants.

Speaking about City’s rumoured interested, he told RAI Sport: “It is very pleasing of course, but I have learned to understand football a bit now. When things go well, you are linked with these big clubs and it is gratifying because it means you are on the right track.

“I’ve done a lot of training on turning my head to check what’s behind me, as it can make the difference. Sometimes you need to look more than twice, Luciano Spalletti taught me that too. My coach sends me videos to study, many of them are of Rodri. You can see the importance of the little things.

“I still have to improve on so many little things, like my positioning. [Torino coach Paolo] Vanoli sends me so many videos. Toro fans deserve more, as it is a club with immense history and so quite rightly their supporters are demanding.”

Rodri’s importance to City has been a large focus ever since he suffered his ACL injury against Arsenal, with certain reports claiming the club are considering adding a new midfielder to Pep Guardiola’s squad in January.

Real Sociedad and Spain star Martin Zubimendi, who was a target for Liverpool throughout the summer, has distanced himself from rumours of a switch to the Etihad Stadium.

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