Everton will need €15m if they wish to sign Colombian midfielder Richard Rios from Palmeiras this summer, with Leicester City also in the mix.
That’s according to journalist Bruno Andrade, who reports Everton are also interested in Arthur Melo, although he has decided to stick with Juventus under Thiago Motta for the time being.
Rios has been linked with moves all over Europe this summer after impressing at the Copa América, where he was a key player in Colombia’s run to the final, where they were eventually beaten 1-0 by Argentina.
Everton have been named as suitors for several weeks while Leicester have also been credited with an interest as they continue to strengthen their squad after securing promotion back to the Premier League.
The Toffees could be primed to step up their interest, though, as they’ve now sold Amadou Onana to Aston Villa and have the funds, plus the need, to secure another midfielder this summer.
It seems nothing is progressing at this moment in time, though, even though Rios can be secured for a relatively low sum, indeed, a lower sum than the €90m which had been wildly quoted once Manchester United showed an interest.
“There is no information about Richard Rios, who was the main player of Colombia in the Copa América,” he said.
“Palmeiras stipulates about €15m to negotiate for him. There are two English clubs at least above Richard Rios, Leicester and Everton. Everton also has an interest in Arthur Melo, former Grêmio, former Juventus. He is leaning on Juventus with Thiago Motta now.
“But for now, Palmeiras put €15m as the minimum value to negotiate Richard Rios. But the idea is to hold to try to sell only at the end of the year, because he is valued. To reiterate, Palmeiras has 70% of the rights, then 14% for Guarani, 6% Flamengo and 10% for the player.”
