Como, AC Milan in talks for midfielder Samuele Ricci

AC Milan and Como are in active discussions over a potential transfer of midfielder Samuele Ricci, with the two clubs currently hashing out the financial terms of a deal. The negotiations, which have been mediated by Ricci’s agent, come roughly one year after Milan signed the Italian midfielder from Torino.

Milan paid approximately €23 million in a fixed fee plus €2 million in bonuses to bring Ricci to San Siro in July 2025. That price tag is now the sticking point: Milan wants a permanent sale that reflects the investment they made, and they’re reportedly looking for at least €20 million to even start the conversation.

A year that didn’t go to plan

Under manager Ruben Amorim, Ricci has found himself stuck behind a crowded midfield. Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Amir Jashari, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all been preferred options, leaving Ricci watching from the bench more often than he’d like.

For a player who signed a contract running through June 2029, the timeline should have been generous. Reports suggest the 24-year-old is hesitant to leave after just one season, but Como’s pitch of increased playing time and a genuine role in the team’s project could be persuasive enough to override that reluctance.

Why Como makes sense

Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, aren’t just shopping for talent randomly. The club has a specific need for Italian-trained players to satisfy UEFA squad-list regulations, which makes Ricci a particularly attractive target beyond his on-pitch qualities.

Milan’s balancing act

From Milan’s perspective, this is a straightforward cost-recovery exercise. The club invested roughly €25 million in total to acquire Ricci, and their insistence on a permanent sale, or at minimum a loan with a guaranteed purchase clause, signals that they’re not interested in a temporary arrangement.

It’s worth noting that Milan aren’t dealing exclusively with Como here. Both Juventus and Atalanta reportedly expressed interest in Ricci earlier in 2026. Whether those clubs come back with formal proposals as the transfer window progresses could determine whether Como gets their man or gets outbid.

The situation remains fluid, with no transfer fee or formal terms agreed as of August 17-18, 2026.

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