Manchester City are reportedly eyeing-up a potential move for a Serie A star after Rodri was ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Rodri, 28, suffered the problem during City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday and following a series of tests this week, Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that he had surgery in Madrid.
It is a major blow for City, with Rodri integral to their success over recent years, while the reigning Premier League champions also have a mixed record without the Spaniard.
Guardiola described the midfielder as ‘irreplaceable’, although he insisted his squad do have the capabilities to make up for his absence.
City must now decide whether to enter the market in January to fill Rodri’s void, and according to The Guardian, they are weighing up a move for Torino star Samuele Ricci.
Man City are reportedly eyeing-up a move for a Serie A star after Rodri’s serious knee injury
Rodri is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering the problem against Arsenal last week
City are keen on a move for Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, who is valued at £30million
Ricci, 23, has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season as Torino sit top of Serie A after five games.
The midfielder joined Torino in 2022 after coming through the ranks at Empoli and has so far won four caps for Italy.
This included a stunning display during the Azzurri’s 3-1 victory over France in Paris earlier this month.
Ricci’s versatility is hugely attractive to City, and he is viewed as one of the best deep-lying playmakers around.
His top qualities include his range of passing, while his tackling and physicality also means the midfielder should be able to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
The report goes onto claim that Ricci is valued at around £30million, meaning he would be a long-term investment for City.
However, Torino would be reluctant to lose such a prized asset in January – particularly if they are in the race for Champions League qualification – so any deal may be harder to strike, although the lure of joining a club like City may be difficult for the player to resist.
Speaking on Friday morning, Guardiola explained that City had taken two opinions from experts in the UK and Spain surrounding Rodri’s knee, before he underwent the operation on Friday.
‘His season is over,’ Guardiola said. ‘Unfortunately he got the worst [outcome]. But it is what it is. Unfortunately at this level, it happens. We are there to support him, and he will recover step by step and move forward.
‘What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player but the other players altogether can replace what Rodri has given since he arrived to us.
‘We have to do it as a team and we have to find the way to play during a lot of months without an important player. Everybody knows it.’
Ricci has also won four caps for Italy and excelled in their 3-1 victory over France this month
Ricci’s best position is as a deep-lying midfielder, meaning he may be able to fill Rodri’s void
Guardiola called Rodri ‘irreplaceable’ but said City have the players to make up for his absence
Guardiola also insisted City must be careful with Rodri – who joins the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb on the treatment table – upon his return given the seriousness of the injury.
‘We know that, we don’t want it but football happens and it is pity because it a long injury – eight or nine months,’ he added.
‘After it is not “you have to be ready in one month”, because when you have an ACL injury, a year after you have a lot of muscular problems for sure.
‘That is why it is longer. I think Rodri will become his best not after just eight or nine months. We have magnificent players and we will find the solution.’
City return to action on Saturday lunchtime against Newcastle United, before they face Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday.