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While Manchester City tend not to dip into the January market to bolster their squad, Rodri’s injury could prompt the club to do so in the winter transfer window.

Rodri is arguably Manchester City’s most important player and the club would be taking if a huge risk if they decided not to strengthen their midfield in January.

Despite the Spaniard’s injury being a fair reason for City to potentially miss out on major silverware this campaign, elite clubs tend not to let seasons pass by them until the ideal circumstances present themselves.

Pep Guardiola addressed whether Manchester City are missing Rodri by claiming that it is too easy to make such claims so early into his absence.

But Guardiola would internally be hoping that his side can ensure that the midfield maestro’s absence is not felt like when other key stalwarts such as Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones have been injured in the past.

Ilkay Gundogan described Rodri as “irreplaceable” when it comes to this City side and it is impossible to deny that he has been the beating heart of this team for the past few years now.

Samuele Ricci gives honest verdict to Man City transfer links

On Friday, it was reported by The Guardian that Manchester City have earmarked Samuele Ricci as one of the possible incomings to replace the injured 28-year-old in January.

The report further claimed that the Italian international is high up on City’s wish list of defensive midfielders to come in and steady the ship in Rodri’s absence.

Ricci is expected to cost £30 million if Pep Guardiola’s side intend to secure his services in a few months.

However, Torino would be reluctant to let the 23-year-old leave mid-season.

Paolo Vanoli’s side have started the season in fine fashion, sitting just two points off fourth place so far.

The Turin-based side would be hoping to make an unexpected finish into the Champions League spots at the end of the season.

For Torino to be able to pull off such a surprise and upset the applecart in Serie, the young midfielder would be fundamental to their hopes.

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb after his side’s 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan, Ricci was quizzed about his links to Manchester City.

“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. I still have a lot of things to improve on.”

“I look at them, friends send me articles. But I think more about concrete things, that is, the green rectangle .”

Samuele Ricci would find it tough to reject Manchester City move

While Ricci seems focused on his time at Torino, he refused to rule out Manchester City’s interest or is willingness to sign for them in January.

If City were to ramp up their efforts to pursue him, the in-form midfielder would find it hard to reject their advanced.

Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world and Ricci would be aware that elite sides such as them do not come around knocking too many times in a player’s career.

Furthermore, the Italian would be aware that if he did make the move to the Etihad Stadium, he could instantly become a starter in Rodri’s absence.

Unlike at Torino, Ricci would have a realistic chance of winning silverware at Manchester City — not just this season but for years to come.

The silky technician would also have the chance to learn his craft from Pep Guardiola.

If Manchester City do decide to accelerate their interest in Ricci, it will be a testament to how highly they rate him.