Leicester City are reportedly competing with Everton for the signing of Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios. Recent reports indicate that inquiries regarding Rios’s availability have been made to his current club in Brazil.
With almost a month remaining before Leicester’s Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur, new manager Steve Cooper still has potential gaps to fill in his midfield lineup. The £30 million transfer of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has left the team with a shortage of attack-minded central players. Currently, 18-year-old summer signing Michael Golding is the only player in the squad who fits this role.
If Cooper opts to explore the transfer market to bolster his midfield options, Brazilian media outlet UOL suggests that a solution might lie in Sao Paulo, where a promising player has recently garnered international attention.
Richard Rios, a 24-year-old midfielder, played a crucial role in Colombia’s campaign at the 2024 Copa America tournament. He featured in six matches and scored during a 5-0 victory over Panama in the quarter-finals. Despite Colombia’s strong performance, they ultimately fell to Argentina in the final.
Rios has accumulated 120 club appearances in South America, primarily playing on the right side of central midfield. According to the latest reports, both Leicester City and Everton are making efforts to bring him to the Premier League.
However, Palmeiras are reportedly hesitant to agree to a transfer. They value Rios between £12.6 million and £16.8 million, holding 70 percent of his economic rights. The reason for Palmeiras’ reluctance is not explicitly stated, but it may be influenced by the timing, as their domestic season runs from April to December. Additionally, Palmeiras recently sold midfielder Luis Guilherme to West Ham United and have agreed to let highly-rated teenager Estevao Willian join Chelsea next summer.
As Leicester and Everton vie for Rios’s signature, it remains to be seen whether Palmeiras will agree to part ways with their talented midfielder in the midst of their season.
