The summer window is yet to really explode into life. And not just at a West Ham United who have so far failed to add any new faces to a squad which finished a lowly 14th in the Premier League last season.
All across European football, eye-catching deals have been in relatively short supply.
While the message coming out of the London Stadium is that West Ham do not plan on spending big until they raise funds via a few key sales, a lack of activity elsewhere can partly be explained by the ongoing Club World Cup.
The transfer window even closed for a couple of days this month in order to help teams get their affairs in order before Gianni Infantino’s beloved brainchild got underway. And while it opened again on June 16th, the biggest clubs on all footballing continents are understandably a little distracted right now with incomings and outgoings placed on the backburner.
Take Palmeiras, for instance.
Amid claims that Richard Rios is on Graham Potter’s radar at West Ham United, Brazilian giants Palmeiras made it clear that the Colombian was going nowhere until the Club World Cup is over.
Richard Rios celebrates during Santos v Palmeiras in the Campeonato Paulista 2025
Photo by Marco Galvao/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Jorge Nicola expects movement soon on West Ham United target Richard Rios
A draw with Porto, another of Rios’ admirers, and a 2-0 victory over Al Ahly mean Palmeiras are likely to secure a last-16 spot. Should they reach the final, the Verdao will remain in action until July 13th.
No wonder Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola believes that any potential negotiations for Richard Rios are unlikely to begin for another week-and-a-half, at the earliest.
“The midfielder is one of the most popular players in South America,” Nicola explains. “He had already entered the sights of Porto, Sporting, Manchester United and Tottenham, among others.
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“It is due to this great interest that Palmeiras dreams of a deal worth up to 40 million euros. There is a real chance of business from July, especially if the 40 million euros are reached.”
If West Ham fall into that ‘among others’ category, then so do Nottingham Forest.
A Europe-bound Nottingham Forest are expected to sign Botafogo forward Igor Jesus – another Brazil-based talent linked with West Ham – while Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit were mentioned alongside Richard Rios too recently.
Graham Potter during Brighton and Hove Albion FC v West Ham United FC in the Premier League
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Over in Portugal, Porto have rescued Gabri Veiga from Saudi Arabia. It remains to be seen if they plan on stepping up their pursuit of another expensive playmaking talent in Richard Rios, while a central midfielder appears well down the pecking order at a Manchester United side firmly focused on the attacking third.
Potter wants athleticism as West Ham prioritise Raphael Onyedika
As for West Ham, Graham Potter reportedly rejected Martin Baturina before the silky Croatian sealed a £21 million move to ambitious Serie A outfit Como instead. The Hammers boss wants more athleticism in a sluggish midfield.
Something which explains why head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay has set his sights on Raphael Onyedika of Club Brugge.
Richard Rios is another physically-imposing yet technically-gifted footballer capable of adding some much-needed verve to a low-litre engine.
“Richard is a versatile player who can fit into several roles in midfield,” explains Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira. “His ability to both defend and attack makes him a valuable asset for any team.”