Tottenham target Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios has been a subject of an official bid from AS Roma
Tottenham Hotspur may have to move quickly to seal a move for one of their midfield targets of the summer transfer window.
With Yves Bissouma heading for a potential exit, Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios has emerged as a target for Spurs. The North Londoners have triggered Morgan Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause at Nottingham Forest. But Forest are pulling out all stops and have decided to lodge a complaint to the Premier League against Tottenham for breaching the contractual agreement details. As a result, a deal for the English playmaker is stalling at this moment.
If a deal for Gibbs-White comes to fruition, he will be expected to challenge James Maddison for a spot in the team. The Forest star would inject creativity and dynamism to Thomas Frank’s side but he will not solve Spurs’ problems in deeper areas of midfield. This is where Richard Rios fits the bill perfectly.
The Colombian has become one of the most sought-after midfielders in the market following eye-catching performances at the Club World Cup and in Brazil’s domestic campaign. Although the central midfielder’s deal with Palmeiras is not due to expire until the end of 2028, it has come to light that his head has been turned by the opportunity to take his career in another direction by a European club.
AS Roma make bid for Richard Rios
AS Roma have made Rios a key midfield target. According to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano on X, AS Roma have lodged their official bid for Rios worth €30m, €27m plus €3m add-ons. The Colombian is pushing to join the Giallorossi, but it is now up to Palmeiras whether to accept the bid or not as they always wanted €30m fixed fee.
This means Tottenham are in a race against time to sign the 25-year-old after Roma tabled their official bid on Thursday. Spurs are yet to move on any central midfielder from their squad as things stand. Bissouma is the only midfielder who has been linked with an exit, and with him entering the final year of his contract, Daniel Levy must offload the Mali international quickly and sign an upgrade.
What should Tottenham do?
Rios is a quality player who would fit into Thomas Frank’s system like a glove. He is agile, creative, a crisp passer of the ball and boasts an incredible engine, and at 25, the South American is expected to enter the best years of his career.
With Rodrigo Bentancur also into the final year of his contract, and Pape Matar Sarr blowing hot and cold last season, it makes sense to refresh the midfield department with someone in the mould of Rios. And valued at just a paltry €30m by Palmeiras, Tottenham must look to outbid Roma and convince the Colombian international to choose their project.
