Manchester United Eyeing £20m Brazilian Midfielder After Missing Out on Champions League Football | OneFootball

Manchester Utd Eyeing Brazilian Midfield Star as Cut-Price Alternative to Ederson

Manchester United’s midfield is primed for transformation this summer, and rightly so. With Christian Eriksen set to depart and Casemiro showing signs of decline, the club’s central unit requires fresh legs and renewed energy. Adding to this, Manuel Ugarte’s disciplinary issues have further complicated matters for Ruben Amorim, whose arrival at Old Trafford has signalled a more aggressive, possession-based style of play.

GIVEMESPORT recently revealed that the Red Devils are actively scouting potential reinforcements, with Atalanta’s Ederson high on the wishlist. However, Ederson’s £50 million price tag has emerged as a sticking point, particularly with the club’s Champions League status in question and potential transfer income from sales still uncertain.

Richard Rios: An Under-the-Radar Opportunity

Enter Richard Rios of Palmeiras – a name not unfamiliar to the United recruitment team. According to the same report, “Rios is said to have an £85million release clause, but it’s reported his club would be willing to let him go for £20million.” That would represent an extraordinary deal in the current market, especially for a player with Rios’ credentials.

Photo: IMAGO

TEAMtalk first linked United to Rios back in August 2024, when both they and Everton were monitoring the Colombian-born midfielder. Back then, “sources suggested… he could cost as low as £12million.” Fast forward to now, and Rios’ stock has only risen.

The 24-year-old has made a name for himself in Brazil, playing a pivotal role in Palmeiras’ consecutive league triumphs. His numbers this season suggest an all-action player with end product: “two league assists for his table-topping side this term, and two goals in four Copa Libertadores games.”

What Rios Could Offer Ruben Amorim

Rios’ profile aligns closely with the kind of midfielder Amorim seems to prefer – tactically disciplined, technically adept, and with the ability to drive forward. In a system likely to lean on fluid midfield rotations and pressing from the front, Rios could be an ideal addition.

At £20 million, the deal would not only represent a financial win but also a calculated gamble on a player proven at the continental level. His international pedigree is growing, and his performances in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, suggest he’s ready for the next step.

Market Conditions Could Force United’s Hand

There’s a practical element at play too. Missing out on the Champions League has knock-on effects for squad-building. United’s war chest isn’t bottomless, and investing £50 million in Ederson might not be viable without offloading players.

Rios offers a high-upside alternative that could allow United to address other pressing issues – potentially even bringing in a second midfielder or a striker with the remaining budget. As the GIVEMESPORT report noted, “United will apparently make a final decision on whether to up the ante on the long-term target soon.”

Whether or not that happens may depend on how aggressively other suitors – potentially from Italy or Spain – act. But in today’s market, £20 million for a two-time Brazilian champion is the kind of opportunity top clubs can’t afford to ignore.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this development feels both intriguing and frustrating. Ederson would undoubtedly be a strong signing, but the reality is that we’re not operating with unlimited resources anymore – especially if Champions League football slips away again.

Richard Rios could be the clever, under-the-radar pickup that sets us apart. £20 million for a player in his prime, with big-match experience in the Copa Libertadores and back-to-back Brazilian league titles under his belt? That’s more than just a punt – it’s a savvy move.

His stats aren’t mind-blowing, but they show consistency. Two goals in four Libertadores matches suggests a midfielder who knows when to arrive in the box, and Amorim might be the manager to unlock even more from him. Let’s not forget, Amorim built a Sporting team around intense runners and composed ball players. Rios could easily fit into that mould.

This also signals a shift in recruitment – less Galáctico, more functional and forward-looking. If United are trying to build a squad rather than a brand, this is precisely the kind of signing we should get excited about.

It might not be the marquee name fans scream for, but it could be the smart piece of business that helps Amorim establish control and shape his new era at Old Trafford.