Palmeiras have insisted Richard Ríos will not be leaving the club this summer, regardless of growing interest from English clubs including Nottingham Forest, and from elsewhere in Europe and then the Middle East.
Recent news from local press claim the Brazilian side have informed the midfielder’s representatives that there are no plans to let him go in the current transfer window.
The report explains that president Leila Pereira and the club’s football board consider Ríos a key figure in Abel Ferreira’s team and are determined to keep the core of the squad intact as Palmeiras fight for major titles in 2025.
With a stable financial situation, there is no pressure to cash in on top players, a position described as a clear message that Palmeiras are not a “selling club”.
Palmeiras would only consider a sale if a bid reaches the level they define as “irrefutable”, around €30m (approximately £25.3m), a value far above what suitors have so far been willing to pay.
Asked about the rumours after the Club World Cup, Ríos responded: “What I know is what you know. Just rumours for now. I don’t think anything concrete has arrived at the club, and if nothing has arrived, nothing is communicated to me. I really have nothing to say because there’s nothing official.”
Ríos has attracted interest from Atlético Madrid and Saudi giants Al-Hilal, as well as from the Premier League, where Nottingham Forest reportedly have been monitoring his situation – even Manchester United have been put on the mix.
The recent transfer of Ramón Sosa from Forest to Palmeiras, for a fee of around £10m, could also serve as a future connection point between the two clubs, should talks about Ríos be revisited later in the window.
Despite receiving proposals that could have exceeded R$200m (around £27m), Palmeiras turned down all approaches and chose to keep the Colombian midfielder in the squad.
Richard Ríos, aged 25, has become a central figure in Palmeiras’ midfield. Known for his intensity in pressing, physical strength and ability to link defence and attack, he is seen as “non-negotiable” by Abel Ferreira’s staff as the club enter decisive stages in the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian league.
The player’s next steps remain to be seen, but for now, Palmeiras are standing firm.