Fulham reportedly lead the race to sign 24-year-old South American midfielder Richard Rios from Palmeiras in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Italian outlet Viola News, Richard Rios is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers have been scouring the market for a midfielder in the summer transfer window after losing Joao Palhinha. And they are the front-runners to sign the South American midfielder, with Palmeiras demanding around €25 million to part ways with him.
Who is Richard Rios?
Richard Rios has made considerable progress since joining Palmeiras from Guarani FC in March 2023. A native of Vegachí, the Colombian international spent his formative years in Brazil and graduated from the youth division at Flamengo. However, his stock has risen in the last 15 months.
The 24-year-old has turned out 82 times thus far for Palmeiras while chipping in with five goals and two assists. Meanwhile, Rios was one of the standout performers at Copa America 2024, helping Colombia reach the final, where Los Cafeteros lost to Argentina due to a goal by Lautaro Martinez in extra time.
Meanwhile, the South American midfielder has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe, and a move to the continent might be on the cards. The report reveals Fiorentina, Villarreal, and Fulham are his prospective suitors in the summer transfer window, with the West London club leading the race to sign him. Palmeiras will demand around €25 million to sell him.
London calling?
Fulham’s interest in Richard Rios is understandable. The Cottagers have been scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window due to the uncertainties surrounding the future of Joao Palhinha then. With the Portuguese international joining Bayern Munich, Fulham must sign a replacement.
So, several midfielders, including Cameron Puertas, have emerged on Fulham’s radar, with Rios also being a viable target. The latest update has revealed that the Cottagers lead the race to sign the South American midfielder. They are lining up a bid worth €20 million plus a sell-on fee to convince Palmeiras to sell him.
While the bid will not equal Palmeiras’s valuation of €25 million, the inclusion of a sell-on clause might be enough to convince the Brazilian club to sell the 24-year-old Colombian international in the summer transfer window.
