Manchester City links gave me 'great pleasure' - but now Liverpool want me as well

Manchester City drew 0-0 away against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. Pep Guardiola’s side are in the hunt for a place in the top four. They weren’t able to find a winner at Old Trafford and returned to the Etihad Stadium with a point.

As for Liverpool, they were beaten 3-2 away at Fulham. Arne Slot’s side are still on course to win the Premier League title this season. They couldn't find an equaliser at Craven Cottage but remain in a strong position to win the trophy.

Manchester City and Liverpool want Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci

City and Liverpool are both being linked with a move for Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, as per CaughtOffside. His current club will face a battle to keep hold of him amid attention from elsewhere. The report adds that Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Tottenham Hotspur.

When asked specifically about his links to City and AC Milan, he has said in an interview with TuttoMercatoWeb: "It's definitely a great pleasure, but I've learned to know football a little. When things go well you're linked to these clubs and it's gratifying because it means the work is the right one, the path is the right one".

Ricci, 23, is an Italy international with eight caps under his belt so far in his career. He started out at Empoli and rose up through their academy ranks. The Pontedera-born man was a regular at various different youth levels before going on to play 90 matches for their first-team as a youngster.

Torino signed him on an initial loan deal in 2021 before later making his switch permanent. He has since become one of their most prized assets and they will be desperate to retain his services for longer. Ricci has made 108 appearances in all competitions and has found the net on eight occasions. City and Liverpool could both see him as someone to inject more quality into their midfield departments.

Reaction to Manchester City and Liverpool’s weekend results

Former Manchester United man Gary Neville slammed the drab Manchester derby stalemate afterwards and said: “It's a Manchester derby. It should have more blood, thunder, risk, and courage involved in playing the game. The congratulations and love-in I'm watching says both teams are happy with 0-0. It looks like it's Sunday afternoon and they're going to go for a roast dinner together now."

In terms of Liverpool’s defeat to Fulham, their club favourite Jamie Carragher has recently hinted that Slot doesn’t trust his back-up players. He said: “The Liverpool manager has tended to favour the same starters from a preferred pool of 14 or 15. He does not seem to trust back-up options such as Harvey Elliott or Wataru Endo unless there is no option."

The Reds have seen their form slump a bit recently but remain 11 points clear. Both the Reds and City have the chance to bring in some new faces this summer. They also have the opportunity to let some individuals head out the exit door as well.