Manchester United and Roma are both interested in signing a talented midfielder who impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, according to reports.
The reformatted version of the FIFA Club World Cup was launched after the 2024-25 Premier League season and the tournament was held in the United States.
The 32-club competition kicked off in June and the FIFA tournament culminated in July, with the final being held on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Chelsea came out on top at this summer’s Club World Cup and the Blues defeated Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain with a convincing 3-0 scoreline.
Manchester United did not feature at the Club World Cup and Ruben Amorim has been busy preparing ahead for the Red Devils’ pre-season campaign this summer.
However, the Club World Cup sparked the rise of different players who have attracted interest in Europe and United and Roma have been linked with one name.
Photo by Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty ImagesRoma and Man Utd are interested in Richard Rios after the Palmeiras midfielder’s Club World Cup performances
Richard Rios has been linked with Manchester United in recent weeks and the Colombian midfielder impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup with Palmeiras.
Palmeiras reached the quarter-finals of the tournament earlier this month before Chelsea knocked the Brazilian side out in a 2-1 win at the Lincoln Financial Field.
Richard Rios played five times for Palmeiras at FIFA’s competition this summer and the 25-year-old United-linked midfielder picked up two assists for his side.
La Gazzetta dello Sport now reports that Roma have entered the race to sign Rios and the Serie A club face stiff competition from United over the player.
Rios came through the youth academy at Flamengo before playing for the Brazilian side’s first team, with the Palmeiras ace later moving to Brazilian Serie C club Guarani.
The Italian newspaper added that Roma director of football Frederic Massara also held talks with Palmeiras over a potential move for Rios this summer.
Palmeiras’ price tag for Richard Rios remains firm amid Man Utd and Roma’s interest in the Colombia midfielder
Richard Rios has been with Palmeiras since 2023 after he was signed from Guarani and the Colombia international has made 137 appearances for his current side.
The Colombia and Palmeiras midfielder has netted 11 times and registered 10 assists for the Brazilian Serie A outfit and is under contract with his club until 2028.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma had ‘offered’ €25m for Rios and Palmeiras are holding out for a bigger fee for the United-linked player.
It has been reported that Palmeiras are not willing to sell Rios for under €30m and United have ‘swooped in on the player in the last few hours.’