Arsenal and Leicester are battling it out for Empoli midfielder Samuele Ricci, according to La Nazione. The Italian newspaper claims the two clubs “have been negotiating for days” with the teenager’s agent Federico Pastorello.
However, the Gunners are not the favourites to sign the 19-year-old, with the Foxes currently the only club “ready” to match Empoli’s €15m (£13m) asking price.
Ricci was first linked with a move to the Emirates back in April but it appears that they are reluctant to get involved in a bidding war for the Italian Under 21 international.
It is definitely a sizeable sum to invest in a player who hasn’t even played in Italy’s top flight. The midfielder has spent the last two seasons starring for Empoli in Serie B.
Even so, Ricci is believed to have a very bright future in the game. He is a holding midfield player by trade and would likely fit well into Mike Arteta’s style of play.
