Liverpool are interested in signing ‘dangerous’ £25m midfielder also wanted by Manchester City

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The January transfer window is just around the corner for Liverpool, and one position the Reds look set to spend big on is central midfield.

The Anfield side spent a good chunk of the summer transfer window chasing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who ultimately decided to stay with the Basque side despite having the opportunity to move to Liverpool.

With Zubimendi recently picking up an injury, a transfer to Liverpool in January already looks unlikely, with Arne Slot also interested in adding to three other positions for the Reds as the Dutch coach looks to spend on the winter window.

And Liverpool have seemingly joined Manchester City in the race to sign one of Serie A’s most exciting players.

Liverpool interested in Torino and Italy maestro Samuele Ricci

According to L’Interista, Liverpool are one of the many big teams interested in signing Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, with the 23-year-old Italy international enjoying a fantastic year with the Serie A side this season.

Noted by Total Football Analysis as a ‘dangerous’ passer of the ball, Liverpool and City are both viewing Ricci as an alternative to Zubimendi, with the midfielder believed to be available for €30m (£25m) in the January transfer window.

Indeed, central midfield is a position Liverpool have to invest in given the limited amount of quality options the Reds have, with the development of Ryan Gravenberch the sole reason why this issue now isn’t as intense as it was back in the summer.

And in Ricci, Liverpool could have an excellent midfielder who can cover a lot of the roles Slot demands from his players in the position, with Torino’s asking price for the Italian international also one that the Reds could be willing to meet in January.

What would Ricci offer Liverpool if signed in January?

Ricci has been one of the best midfielders in Serie A this year, with the former Empoli talent establishing himself as a result fixture for the Italian national team and attracting some big interest from Liverpool and now also City.

And if the Reds were to sign Ricci, the 23-year-old will offer a lot that Slot is currently missing from his current midfield options, namely someone who can flawlessly adapt on the fly in games from one midfield role to another depending on the situation.

A natural no. 6 who has operated as a no. 8 for Torino, Ricci’s tactical flexibility and Darwinian ability to adapt will be of great use to Liverpool, and the midfielder could be a fantastic fit at Anfield if the Reds can win the race for the youngster’s signature.