Rios crossroads: Roma not prepared to fight Benfica at 30m fee
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 23: Richard Rios #8 of Palmeiras walks out of the tunnel prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and SE Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium on June 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Roma have not yet put the necessary €30m offer in for Richard Rios, who would've done the deal, but Benfica are now prepared to meet the Palmeiras asking price and seal it.
The negotiations have been going on for a while and several bids were tabled to the Brazilian side, knowing full well what the demand was going to be.
Now on July 18 , the Giallorossi have still not reached the figure of €30m that would've got the agreement over the line in 10 minutes flat.
Roma knew what it would take for Rios
With this hesitation, Benfica are ready to get in there and take full advantage to poach Rios from under Roma's noses .
The Portuguese side already have the advantage of agreeing personal terms with the midfielder and now their mission is to complete the transfer with Palmeiras too.
They managed to convince Rios that they would be the most suitable destination for him and Roma simply were not prepared to go any further.
This included a phone call between the player and Benfica chief Manuel Rui Costa.
Meanwhile, Neil El Aynaoui arrives this weekend for his doctor after Rome agreed the €25m including add-ons deal with RC Lens.
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