Manchester United are now showing serious interest in signing an £85 million midfielder from a Club World Cup side, according to a recent report.
Man Utd chasing multiple strikers amid search for new front three
The current focus at Old Trafford remains on completing the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but once that deal is done, United will switch their attentions to completing the rest of their new-look front three with a new number nine.
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Manchester United appear top be making more moves for a striker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Rasmus Hojlund looks as though he could be moved on by the Red Devils this summer to make way for a new striker. Indeed, reports have already emerged that Hojlund has given the go ahead to join Inter Milan.
Meanwhile, United are assessing their options for who could replace the Dane. Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres looked to be one of their preferred targets, given his connection with Ruben Amorim, but they have now moved onto other targets.
Hugo Ekitike is a player who has emerged as a strong candidate to become United’s new number nine in recent weeks. The Premier League side have held talks with his representatives over a move to Old Trafford, although it’s claimed that Eintracht Frankfurt would want around £85 million.
But there are also two new names in the frame, as reports over the weekend revealed United are interested in signing Moise Kean from Fiorentina, after he scored 19 goals in Serie A last season, and United are seriously considering a move to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.
Man Utd showing serious interest in Richard Rios
As well as signing a new centre-forward, it’s been well publicised that Amorim wants a new midfielder, and they may now have found their ideal target. According to reports relayed by The Express, Man United are interested in signing Richard Rios from Palmeiras.
Rios is now a concrete target for the Red Devils, as they are seriously interested in a transfer, but a move will have to wait until after Palmeiras’ Club World Cup campaign has come to an end.
The report states that United are likely to prioritise signing a defensive midfielder this summer, as captain Bruno Fernandes is set for a deeper role next season, given the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the potential arrival of Mbeumo.
Rios, who has been described as a “ball-carrying machine” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has been at Palmeiras since March 2023. The 25-year-old has become a key performer for the Brazilian side, as shown in the Club World Cup, where he’s played and started both games so far, drawing with Porto and beating Ahly SC.
|
Richard Rios’ Club World Cup stats |
|
|---|---|
|
Apps |
2 |
|
Starts |
2 |
|
Minutes per game |
89 |
|
Total shots |
1.5 |
|
Touches |
43.0 |
|
Key passes |
1.0 |
|
Passing accuracy per game |
18.5 (77%) |
|
Interceptions per game |
3.0 |
|
Tackles per game |
2.0 |
|
Balls recovered per game |
5.5 |
|
Total duels won |
7.0 (54%) |
It is reported that Rios has a staggering £85 million release clause in his contract, which could be considered a lot for the Red Devils. Either way, signing Rios may have to be put on hold until they balance the books and move a few of the unwanted players on first. Rios’ potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him join Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer as the defensive-minded midfielders in the squad.
