Just In: President confirms Man City’s £25m target to replace Rodri will ‘definitely’ not leave in January

Picture this: Manchester City’s midfield is looking like a house with no foundation. Rodri, their rock, is out with an ACL injury that might sideline him until the 2025/26 season. Naturally, Pep Guardiola’s squad has been scrambling to find a stand-in. Enter Samuele Ricci—or so we thought.

Context? Torino’s president, Urbano Cairo, just dropped a bombshell. When asked about Ricci’s future, he shut the door on any potential January move. His exact words? “Ricci will definitely remain at Torino.” Translation: City fans, don’t hold your breath.

The Inside Gist? Back in October, The Guardian revealed City had Ricci on their wishlist, with Arsenal also circling like sharks. The 23-year-old, valued at £25 million, seemed like the perfect fit. His stats don’t lie: 86.7% pass completion, 4.03 progressive carries per 90, and a football IQ that has pundits drooling. Oh, and let’s not forget—Ricci even named Rodri as his idol. A match made in heaven? Too bad it’s not happening.

Clock this: Ricci isn’t just staying put because Torino’s playing hardball. The player himself is focused on the here and now. “I’ve learned to understand a little: as soon as you do well, a lot of things come out. They’re nice, but you shouldn’t get too big for your boots,” Ricci said. Translation: He’s not about to lose sleep over transfer rumors. Maybe City could bag him by summer… Who knows.

Keep in mind: City’s midfield issues run deeper than just missing Rodri. Even Marc Cucurella pointed out that “City keep losing games” without their conductor. And while other names like Martin Zubimendi have been floated, any realistic move for him also seems off the table until summer.

The Big Question: So what now? City might need to get creative—either by unlocking new potential from within their current squad or by making Torino an offer they literally can’t refuse. Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: Pep has a puzzle to solve, and January is shaping up to be a high-stakes game.