AC Milan close in on another target after talking Torino down from asking price to seal €25m agreement for Samuele Ricci

Torino initially demanded €33 million (£28m/$38m) for the midfielder, but Milan director Igli Tare has managed to negotiate a deal worth €25m (£21m/$29) including bonuses, according to Calciomercato.

Milan have had an agreement with Ricci since January and only needed to agree a fee with his club. Ricci’s signing could be the beginning of a midfield rebuild that coach Massimilliano Allegri and director Tare have in mind after the sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City.

Ricci was reportedly targeted by City as a possible replacement for Rodri following the Ballon d'Or winner's injury. The 23-year-old revealed his admiration for the Spanish midfielder, admitting he studies videos of him.

With the deal at an advanced stage, Allegri will hope that he can have Ricci join the pre-season training on July 7. He will join Luka Modric who will join Milan as a free agent after his Club World Cup duties with Real Madrid. Milan will hope to complete more signings before the aforementioned date with negotiations for Granit Xhaka, Ardon Jashari and Javi Guerra in progress.