Rios, long targeted by Roma, flying out for Benfica medical tests and 30m transfer

As expected, Roma transfer target Richard Rios is flying out tonight to complete his move from Palmeiras to Benfica for €30m.

The Giallorossi had been close, but refused to reach the €30m fixed fee that Palmeiras were asking for, instead making a maximum of €25m plus add-ons.

This was not enough to convince the club, while Benfica also managed to work out personal terms and create more enthusiasm within the 25-year-old himself.

Rios and Palmeiras convinced by Benfica

Inter, Nottingham Forest and Zenit St. Petersburg were among the other clubs interested in Rios, who impressed for Palmeiras at the FIFA Club World Cup and has 21 senior caps for Colombia.

Tonight, there was footage of the midfielder in the airport in Sao Paulo on his way towards Lisbon with Benfica director of sport Rui Pedro Braz.

🚨 📸 Richard #Rios con il Direttore Sportivo del #Benfica Rui Pedro #Braz in partenza da Sao Paulo per Lisbona. Poi visite mediche e firma! Decisivo il viaggio in Brasile di Braz ed il lavoro dell’intermediario per la chiusura dell’affare. pic.twitter.com/uCEPgb7PEq

— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) July 21, 2025

Roma were strongly linked with Rios, but eventually did a deal with RC Lens for Neil El Aynaoui instead.

That transfer was completed yesterday for €23.5m plus a further €1.5m in add-ons, and a percentage of the future sell-on fee.