Manchester United have wasted no time in the transfer market to aid Ruben Amorim in being a success at Old Trafford, already making a move to sign one player.
Matheus Cunha has been a player constantly linked with a switch to join the Red Devils over recent months, with a deal seemingly edging ever closer ahead of the final game of the Premier League campaign.
It’s been widely reported that the club have been in advanced talks with Wolves over a deal for the Brazilian international ahead of the summer despite the failure to win the Europa League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha celebrates after Rodrigo Gomes scores
The 25-year-old has a £62.5m release clause within his current contract, but that doesn’t appear to be an issue after agreeing a deal to pay such a figure out in multiple instalments.
However, despite the movement with a deal for Cunha, it appears as though one deal could be completed before him, with another deal edging closer to completion.
The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer
After such a dismal year in the Premier League throughout 2024/25, new additions are to be expected at United to try and right the wrongs of the current campaign.
The likes of Ronald Araujo, Ederson and Viktor Gyokeres have all been strongly linked already ahead of the off-season, as the hierarchy look to bolster various areas of the pitch.
ederson-atalanta
However, despite the interest in the aforementioned players, Palmeiras star Richard Rios could be the first summer signing, according to one Spanish outlet.
Their report claims that he’s seen as a key part of the revival at Old Trafford, and could be available for a fee in the region of just £20m - an absolute bargain.
It also claims that, despite the move for Cunha, the 24-year-old could be set to be the first addition to the new project led by Amorim to lead the club back to their former glory.
Why Rios would be an upgrade on Ugarte
Midfielder Manuel Ugarte was seen as a huge signing last summer after joining in a £50m deal from PSG, looking to be a key part of the rebuild conducted by former boss Erik ten Hag.
Ugarte
The Uruguayan has started 22 league games to date, often having a stop-start period in the North West and being unable to string up a real run of games over the last few months.
He was benched for the Europa League final defeat against Spurs on Wednesday night, not even being brought on by Amorim - potentially highlighting his form of late in the first-team.
It remains to be seen if he will be part of the manager’s long-term plans at the club, but a deal for Rios could further limit his game time and offer Amorim a quality option in the middle of the park.
The Colombian, who’s been labelled a “machine” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas this campaign - highlighting why his £20m fee would be a bargain.
richard-rios-everton
Rios has registered more goals and assists throughout 2024/25, handing the side an added attacking option from a deep-lying role, something which is needed given their lack of threat this season.
He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, registering more key passes per 90 - handing the players ahead of him the chance to bolster their own tallies.
How Rios compares to Ugarte in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Progressive carries
Progressive passes
Pass accuracy
Key passes
Blocks made
Interceptions made
Stats via FBref
The 24-year-old’s talent out of possession is just as impressive, making more blocks and interceptions per 90, offering the added defensive presence they need, given their lowly league standing.
£20m in today’s market is a bargain price, especially for a player of Rios’ quality, with his skillset certainly bolstering the options currently at Amorim’s disposal.
As seen by the stats produced in recent times, he’s managed to better Ugarte in such a role, possibly being a key player in their ambitions of pushing back up the league table in 2025/26.
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