Rios race intensifies with new Roma, Nottingham Forest and Benfica bids | OneFootball

Roma are being made to work hard for Richard Rios, as Nottingham Forest and now Benfica are ready to improve their offers to Palmeiras.

The Colombia international midfielder has emerged as the top target to revitalise the squad under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini.

His performances for Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup further boosted his profile and therefore raised the price tag to over €30m.

Nottingham Forest pushing Roma hard for Rios

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 28: Richard Rios #8 of Palmeiras walks onto the pitch prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between SE Palmeiras and Botafogo FR at Lincoln Financial Field on June 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Football Italia had already reported today that three offers were rejected from Roma, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest.

The latter seem more determined to get a deal over the line and Sportitalia transfer expert Gianluigi Longari confirms Forest are now preparing a new proposal worth close to €30m.

It remains to be seen if it will be sufficient, but Roma are keeping a close eye on the situation and ready to increase their own bid too.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 23: Richard Rios #8 of Palmeiras walks out of the tunnel prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and SE Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium on June 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the competition keeps growing, as Benfica are now joining in the race for Rios with a bid worth €25m plus €4m in add-ons, which is close to the most recent Roma attempt.

He just turned 25 last month and has 21 senior caps for Colombia.