Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are reportedly interested in Palmeiras’ FIFA Club World Cup star Richard Rios.
The Red Devils are keeping a close eye on the midfield talent and could pounce if Rios shines at the Club World Cup. Alongside the Old Trafford outfit, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the player.
Rios, 25, has a massive £85.5 million release clause and is contractually tied to Palmeiras until December 31, 2028.
Manchester United Are Eyeing Multiple Transfers This Summer
After slumping to a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Man Utd are raring to bounce back. The Red Devils have transfer-listed three big names, and are eyeing some suitable replacements.
Matheus Cunha has joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers after Man Utd activated his £62.5 million release clause. They are also pushing to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford to address their scarcity of goals. After Thomas Frank moved, Tottenham Hotspur have joined United in the race for Mbeumo. However, Manchester United are confident of completing the transfer.
🚨NEW: Rúben Amorim has informed the Man Utd board that he does not want Rashford, Sancho, Antony, or Garnacho included in the squad for the pre-season tour, making it clear he sees no place for them in his plans and is urging the club to speed up their sale process. 🔴#mufc pic.twitter.com/8cjBirIVVx
— Marcó Alcaraz (@MarcoAlcaraz_) June 18, 2025
Man Utd are also interested in signing a centre-forward and a central midfielder this season. Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres are reportedly the top two names in the strikers’ column, whereas Rios is their first-choice midfield option.
Man Utd Target Palmeiras’ Richard Rios, Could Sign Him After Club World Cup
According to GiveMeSport, Man Utd have identified Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios as a potential replacement for Christian Eriksen. The former Tottenham Hotspur man, who possesses remarkable vision and impressive passing range, will leave United at the end of his contract on June 30.
Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell, who oversee transfer operations at Man Utd, have sent scouts to the Club World Cup to monitor the Colombian midfielder closely. If Rios shines for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup, Man Utd could table a massive offer for him.
Rangers are considering a sensational move to sign Christian Eriksen on a free transfer ahead of his imminent departure from Manchester United. (Football Insider) pic.twitter.com/nlzjYsxkFh
— 🇬🇧 Glasgow Rangers News 🇬🇧 (@rfcnews1872) June 11, 2025
Palmeiras began their Club World Cup campaign with a goalless draw with Porto on June 15. They will face Al Ahly (June 19) and Inter Miami (June 24) in their next two matches.
According to the best UK betting sites, Palmeiras are the favourites against Al Ahly at odds of 61/100.
Richard Rios Could Become the Most Expensive CONMEBOL Transfer in History
As per the aforementioned report, Rios has a £85.5 million release clause in his Palmeiras contract. Manchester United will look to decrease the transfer fee, but a drastic deduction seems unlikely.
Since as many as 10 clubs are monitoring him at the Club World Cup, there will not be a shortage of suitors for him. In the Premier League, Tottenham and Nottingham are extensively scouting him. Having received sizable funds after qualifying for the Champions League, Spurs could be serious contenders for Rios.
If any of Rios’ potential suitors meet his lofty £85.5 million release clause, he will become the most valuable transfer from CONMEBOL in the history of football. Neymar, who joined Barcelona from Santos for around £73.5 million (revealed after investigation), is the current holder of the record.
Palmeiras 🆚 Porto is probably the first proper CWC fixture, exciting players everywhere
– Richard Rios is a typical baller should be in Europe asap
-Mora is very raw, fast,skillful but lacks maturity which is obviously normal
-Estevao personality shows he is a superstar pic.twitter.com/Kmo4O8jGgz— Mustafa (@MustafaTactical) June 15, 2025
While Rios has the chance to become the most valuable direct transfer from a CONMEBOL club, he would not be the most expensive Latin American. In the Premier League, Chelsea man Enzo Fernandez secured that record after moving from Benfica for a British record £106.8 million.
Richard Rios rose through Flamengo before switching over to Guarani in August 2022. In March 2023, he made his way to Palmeiras. Since the switch, he has played 133 matches for the club, scoring 11 times.
