Talks held: Manchester United in contact over €35m transfer for 14 G/A midfielder

Manchester United have reportedly made formal contact over a potential transfer move for Benfica midfielder Richard Rios.

The Colombia international has shone during his time in Portugal, and it seems he’s been identified as a potential replacement for Casemiro in Man Utd’s midfield.

That’s according to a report from Fichajes , which states that the Red Devils could face paying around €35m for Rios , which is not too bad in this market.

United will no doubt be keen to invest in new signings in midfield as Casemiro is coming towards the end of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte has largely flopped during his time at Old Trafford.

That could mean MUFC realistically need to make more than one new addition in that area of their squad.

Rios is the latest name to be linked with United, and he’s one of the cheaper options out there if recent transfer rumours are anything to go by.

See below as Florian Plettenberg has been among the reporters to claim that Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is a top target for United, though he could cost £100m or more…

– Wednesday, 8 April 2026

If United can win the race for a world class talent like Anderson, then that wouldn’t leave them with much more to spend, so a cheaper option like Rios could be ideal.

The 25-year-old might not be the kind of glamorous name that a lot of Red Devils supporters are craving, but he’s a solid defensive midfield player who can also contribute going forward.

Rios has an impressive record of eight goals and six assists in all competitions for club and country this season, as per WhoScored stats.

Benfica often sell their best players when big enough offers come along, and one imagines Rios might be keen to now try testing himself in a more competitive league.