October 17th 2024.
It appears that Manchester United has set their sights on Richard Rios. According to renowned football agent Sabatino Durante, the club had been considering a move for the Palmeiras midfielder during the summer transfer window. Rios, who joined Palmeiras from Guarani in 2023, has quickly become a key player for the Brazilian team, making 94 appearances in all competitions. At just 24 years old, he has already caught the attention of top European clubs with his impressive passing abilities and tenacious play, earning him 17 caps for the Colombian national team and a prominent role in this year's Copa America.
AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Fulham were all rumored to be interested in Rios, but it seems Manchester United also had their eye on him. However, with an eye-watering release clause of £84 million in his contract, Durante believes that potential suitors were simply priced out of a potential deal. In fact, he revealed that United had opted to pursue Manuel Ugarte instead, who ultimately signed for a fee of around £42 million from Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite the high transfer fee, Ugarte has yet to make a significant impact for the Red Devils since his arrival. He has only been used sparingly by manager Erik ten Hag and was even left on the bench for their last two matches against Porto and Aston Villa. And now, there are concerns about his availability for their upcoming game against Brentford after he picked up an injury while playing for Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.
In addition to Ugarte, United also made some other big signings during the summer transfer window, including Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, and Noussair Mazraoui, for a combined total of over £170 million. It's clear that the club has been ambitious in their pursuit of top talent, but it remains to be seen if their investments will pay off in the long run.
As for Rios, it seems he will continue to be a key player for Palmeiras and a regular for the Colombian national team. With his impressive performances and growing reputation, it's no surprise that top clubs are vying for his signature. However, with his high release clause and the inflated prices in the Brazilian market, it may be difficult for any club to secure his services in the near future. Only time will tell if Rios will make a move to a European club, but for now, he remains a valuable asset for Palmeiras and a player to watch in the world of football.
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