A busy summer is already shaping up in the French capital. Director Luis Campos, true to his reputation as a talent scout, is making moves to bolster a midfield that already boasts Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz. The sporting director wants to give Luis Enrique a reinforcement tailored for the upcoming competitions, and his choice has fallen on the Colombian revelation from Palmeiras and star of the Club World Cup.
Since arriving at Palmeiras in 2023, Richard Rios has been tearing up the Brazilian pitches with an energy that perfectly matches Parisian requirements. Campos has been writing enthusiastic reports since last autumn. The Club World Cup has only confirmed this appeal: against Porto, the former Flamengo midfielder dominated the midfield, combining quick transitions and physical impact.
According to South American media outlet Antena 2, a €30 million (£26m/$34m) bid would be enough to convince Palmeiras to sell, which will be no problem for PSG. The staff have already approved the deal; discussions are now focusing on the payment structure.
PSG are not alone in their pursuit of the 25-year-old. Atletico Madrid also appreciate Rios’ temperament, which is considered compatible with Diego Simeone’s high-pressing style. Nottingham Forest remain in the running but are clearly behind the two heavyweights. The player’s entourage remains open, while explaining that the prospect of playing alongside Ousmane Dembele and Marquinhos is acting as a magnet.
In its article, Antena 2 slips in a confidence from the Palmeiras dressing room: “The next few hours will be decisive,” suggesting a move could happen soon.
The PSG board would like to close the deal before the summer break so that the player can join the team when pre-season training begins. If Palmeiras raise the stakes, will Campos pull out a plan B? For now, nothing has been revealed. The only certainty is that Luis Enrique has given the green light; the rest depends on negotiations.
