New contract signed as list of Manchester City defensive midfield transfer targets receives fresh blow | OneFootball

Manchester City have received a new blow to their options when it comes to potential recruits in defensive midfield this month, it has been confirmed.

The Premier League champions are believed to be in the market for new names to bring into their first-team squad this month, and amongst the primary focus points is defensive midfield, particularly amid the long-term absence of mainstay Rodri.

A number of names have been linked with transfer interest from the Etihad Stadium in light of the Spaniard’s double knee surgery earlier in the campaign, including the likes of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

However, both names have since been ruled out as targets by Manchester City themselves, largely due to the price tags that would likely be required in the middle of a season and in a notoriously difficult market to operate in.

As such, the club have led their attentions elsewhere in the European game, and one name that some supporters were believing could emerge as an option has since rejected such a notion by penning a new agreement with his current side.

As confirmed by Serie A side Torino this week, Italy international midfielder Samuele Ricci has committed his long-term future to the club by signing a brand new and improved contract through to the summer of 2028.

Ricci was first linked with the Premier League champions at the end of September, just a matter of days after Rodri had jetted back to Spain for immediate attention and subsequent surgery on his knee injuries.

At the time, it was claimed that the 23-year-old was ‘high’ on Manchester City’s list of options, if they decided to make a move in the now-ongoing January transfer window to cover Rodri’s absence.

Responding to those rumours in interviews in Italy, Ricci admitted, “As soon as you do well, many things come out. They’re pleasing, but you shouldn’t let it go to your head. I still need to improve… Friends send me articles, but I think more about the green rectangle.”