Manchester United on the Verge of Losing Richard Rios to Roma
Manchester United is reportedly on the brink of missing out on Richard Rios, the highly-rated Palmeiras midfielder linked with a move to AS Roma. Despite previous interest, the Red Devils appear to be losing ground as Roma intensifies their efforts to secure the Colombian's signature. The transfer saga unfolds amidst growing scrutiny of Manchester United's transfer strategy and internal divisions within the club.
Roma Closes In on Rios: Personal Terms Agreed
AS Roma is reportedly nearing an agreement to sign Richard Rios. The Italian club has already agreed to personal terms with the 25-year-old midfielder, offering him a five-year contract with a reported salary of £2.24 million per season (€2.6M/year). This move signifies Roma's strong intent to bolster their midfield with Rios's talent.
Negotiations with Palmeiras: A Deal Imminent?
Roma's offer for Rios is believed to be in the range of €23-25 million. Palmeiras is reportedly holding out for a fee closer to €30 million, excluding add-ons. Despite the small gap in valuation, negotiations are ongoing, and sources suggest that a deal is likely to be finalized soon. Rios himself is reportedly eager to join Roma and is even willing to forgo his 10% share of the transfer fee to facilitate the move, underscoring his desire to play for the Serie A side.
Gasperini's Key Target: Rios's Tenacity and Ball-Carrying Ability
Roma's new head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, has reportedly identified Richard Rios as a primary target for his midfield. Gasperini values Rios's tenacity and ball-carrying ability, viewing him as a crucial addition to his squad. The coach's specific interest has driven Roma's aggressive pursuit of the Colombian midfielder.
Manchester United's Previous Interest: Scouting and Reported Links
Manchester United's interest in Richard Rios dates back several months. The club's director of football, Jason Wilcox, and head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, reportedly had scouts monitoring Rios during the Club World Cup this summer. The Red Devils have been consistently linked with the midfielder over the past year, suggesting a genuine interest in his services. However, despite this prior scouting and reported interest, Manchester United is now seemingly on the verge of missing out on Rios as Roma pushes to finalize the deal.
Other Midfield Options Being Considered by Man Utd
With Christian Eriksen's departure and the need to strengthen their midfield, Manchester United is exploring various other options. Names like Ederson from Atalanta (with a reported asking price of £51.6 million) and Corentin Tolisso from Lyon (potentially available for around £15 million) have been linked with the club. The pursuit of alternative targets indicates United's determination to reinforce their midfield despite potentially missing out on Rios.
Key Dates in the Transfer Saga
The timeline of the Richard Rios transfer saga includes several key dates:
- July 9, 2025: Reports emerge of AS Roma agreeing personal terms with Richard Rios.
- July 14, 2025: Further reports indicate Roma closing in on Rios's signing.
- July 17, 2025: Confirmation of Rios being ready to give up his 10% cut for the Roma transfer.
Stakeholders in the Transfer Drama
Several key stakeholders are involved in the Richard Rios transfer situation:
- Richard Rios: The player whose future is at the center of the transfer.
- AS Roma: The Italian club actively pursuing his signature.
- Palmeiras: The Brazilian club holding his contract and negotiating his sale.
- Manchester United: The English club that previously showed interest and is now reportedly set to miss out.
- Gian Piero Gasperini: Roma's new head coach, who has identified Rios as a key signing.
Concerns Over Man Utd's Transfer Strategy and "Bomb Squad" Controversy
Manchester United's potential failure to secure Richard Rios has sparked concerns among fans regarding the club's transfer strategy. The perceived slowness and difficulties in securing targets, particularly within a reasonable price range, have drawn criticism. Further complicating matters is the reported decision by manager Ruben Amorim to exile several high-profile players (Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho, Antony, Malacia) by making them train separately until they are sold. This "bomb squad" approach has created internal division and could potentially lower the players' transfer value, impacting the funds available for new acquisitions like midfielders.
Financial Constraints and Impact on Squad Building
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has reportedly indicated that the transfer budget is not unlimited. This financial constraint may explain United's inability to fully compete for certain targets or their focus on offloading players before making new signings. Missing out on a seemingly good value midfielder like Rios could be viewed as a missed opportunity to strengthen a crucial area of the squad, potentially adding pressure on the new management to deliver results with limited resources.
