Richard Rios was a standout player for Colombia in the recent Copa America, where his team finished as runners-up to Argentina. With the experienced James Rodriguez leading the team, Colombia was one of the most entertaining squads in the tournament.
Rios, a 24-year-old central midfielder, demonstrated his potential and talent, making him a valuable player for the present and future. Currently playing for Palmeiras, Rios has attracted interest from major clubs, including Manchester United.
Rios, who has 13 international caps, started all six games for Colombia during the tournament and even scored a crucial goal against Panama in the quarterfinals. According to Goal Brazil, Manchester United is reportedly preparing a bid of around £17 million for Rios.
However, Palmeiras is under no pressure to sell, having already made substantial profits from selling players like Endrick to Real Madrid, Estaveo to Chelsea, and Luis Guilherme to West Ham United.
Eduardo Rodrigues, a journalist for the Brazilian outlet ‘Globo,’ told SPORT that Palmeiras would only consider selling Rios if a club triggers his release clause, which is set at approximately £76.7 million. Besides Manchester United, Italian giants Milan and Juventus are also interested in acquiring Rios.
Despite this interest, Palmeiras, having only signed Rios in 2023, is not inclined to entertain offers from these European clubs.
Historically, Manchester United has missed opportunities to sign players at reasonable prices and regretted it later. However, under the current management, led by Dan Ashworth, the club is approaching transfers with a more strategic mindset.
While Rios would be a strong addition to Manchester United’s midfield, relying on his performance in just one tournament might not justify meeting Palmeiras’ high asking price. Therefore, it may be prudent for the club to pass on this deal for now and continue monitoring his development.
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