Benfica are preparing for the 2025-26 season through their summer transfer window.
So far this summer, the Portuguese side have signed 22-year-old right back Amar Dedic from German side Salzburg for a fee of £10.4 million.
Furthermore, Bruno Lage’s side have signed Samuel Dahl from AS Roma for a fee of £7.8 million and Rafa Obrador for a fee of £4 million.
All three of these players all play in defensive positions with Dahl and Obrador both playing in the left-back position.
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With a focus on improving the defensive depth and quality of Benfica’s squad, the news earlier in the transfer window that the Portuguese side were targeting defensive midfielder Richard Rios as a signing would arguably not have come to the surprise of many fans.
Rios had an impressive 2024-25 season with the 25-year-old creating nine chances and winning 52 duels during the ten matches he played in the Brazilian Serie A last season.
This attracted the interest of both Benfica and Manchester United with the Red Devils reported just a few days ago to be preparing a £17 million bid for the Colombian.
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However, now it looks like Benfica have won the race for the Palmeiras player with Fabrizio Romano giving the deal his famous ‘here we go’ approval.
Revealing the news on X, Romano added that a deal had been agreed between Benfica and Palmeiras after a green light from Rios’ side.
The journalist also revealed that Benfica’s director Rui Pedro Braz had closed the agreement in Brazil with the player’s price tag to be paid over three instalments following an agreement over the price tag for the 25-year-old.
Richard Rios will now prepare for a move to Portugal and will shortly fly to Europe to complete his medical tests and media duties.
🚨🦅 Richard Rios to Benfica, here we go! Deal agreed right now with Palmeiras after green light on player side.
Benfica director Rui Pedro Braz closed the agreement with mission in Brazil, price tag met and paid in 3 installments.
Rios will fly to Lisbon next week for medical. pic.twitter.com/TBlKh1lh9G
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2025
