Samuele Ricci is on his way to Como, with Milan and the Lariani having reached a full verbal agreement over a loan move that includes a buy option.
It caps a strange 12 months for the midfielder, who only arrived from Torino last summer. Ricci was never pushed out in the way Fikayo Tomori and Youssouf Fofana have been, yet the talk of a possible exit never fully went away, and now it is close to happening.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Como and Milan agreed the framework of the deal some time ago before talks resumed, and the two clubs are now working through the final details. The structure is a loan with an option to buy, meaning no obligation, mandatory or conditional, is attached, with Como covering the player's wages in full.
Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed the deal is done. "Como reach full verbal agreement with AC Milan for Samuele Ricci, here we go! Initial loan deal worth €1.5m, salary fully covered by Como, €22m buy option clause and add-ons on top. Ricci has authorisation to travel for medical," he wrote.
The numbers point to a club protecting its position. A €1.5m loan fee with the full salary off the books gives Milan short-term relief, while the €22m option plus add-ons sets a clear valuation should Como decide to make it permanent. There is no compulsion either way.
Cesc Fabregas' side has been one of the busier operators of the window. Alongside Ricci for midfield, Como have added Kambwala from Villarreal and are pushing for Moise Kean up front. The outgoings have created the space: Alvaro Morata has agreed a move to Leganes, Tornqvist is in talks with Monza, and Fadera has completed a switch to Cagliari.
With the medical cleared for travel, the last word rests with Milan and Como on the paperwork before Ricci becomes a Como player.