Torino director Davide Vagnati has accused Lazio of ‘taking everyone for a ride’ on negotiations for Samuele Ricci. ‘We haven’t heard from them for 20 days.’
The midfielder was named in all the papers as the primary pick for coach Maurizio Sarri to reinforce his squad following the sale of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Al-Hilal.
There are repeated reports of negotiations going on and the Biancocelesti edging closer to a deal, but Toro chief Vagnati insists all of that is untrue, or at least vastly over-exaggerated.
“I can’t take this anymore. We haven’t heard from Lazio in 20 days. Not a single word, zero,” Vagnati told Tag24.
“Maybe I need to be even clearer, so everyone can understand me. For weeks now, Lazio have been taking everyone for a ride on Ricci, understand?
“Don’t forget that 20 days in the transfer market is like three months. Presidents Claudio Lotito and Urbano Cairo have not spoken for 20 days either. That is the end of it. The player is staying with us.”
Toro are asking for €25m to sell Ricci, whereas the highest offer from Lazio is reported to be circa €20m including various add-ons and bonuses.
The midfielder will turn 22 later this month and already has two senior caps for Italy under his belt.
His contract runs to June 2026 and the player was purchased from Empoli in January 2022 for a total €9.5m.
Ricci has made 44 competitive appearances for the Granata, scoring two goals and providing one assist.