Real Madrid and Manchester City are locked in a race to secure the signing of Samuele Ricci, the talented 23-year-old midfielder currently playing for Torino. Ricci, who has stood out in Serie A, has become one of the most attractive names on the market for European clubs, especially for those seeking a profile similar to that of Spain's Rodri. 

Rodri Hernández's injury, which will keep him sidelined for much of the season, has prompted Manchester City to look for an immediate replacement. According to reports from Italian media, Pep Guardiola's team considers Ricci the ideal option to fill this role in January, providing solidity and vision in the midfield.

On the other hand, Real Madrid has had Ricci on their radar for a while. It is said that Carlo Ancelotti has been closely following the young Italian's progress for over three years and sees him as a potential reinforcement for next summer. The need for the Madrid club to strengthen their midfield has led Florentino Pérez to be willing to compete directly with the Citizens to secure Ricci's arrival. 

Ricci's playing style, characterized by great ball retention ability and vision, has led to comparisons with Rodri. In a recent analysis of the midfielders with the best ball retention in the top European leagues, Ricci ranks second, just behind Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich. This highlights his potential to integrate seamlessly into either Guardiola's or Ancelotti's squad.