West Ham United learn release clause after transfer approach for Richard Rios
West Ham have learnt that they can only sign Richard Rios for his release clause as Palmeiras rejected an approach, according to UOL.
The Brazilian news outlet reported on 27 August that the Hammers signalled their willingness to shell out up to £21million for the 24-year-old midfielder.
However, it was immediately rebuffed by Palmeiras who have stated that the Colombian would only leave if a club triggered his £84.2million release clause.
West Ham are unlikely to pursue the Richard Rios transfer
The Hammers’ interest in Rios hitting an £84.2million release clause wall essentially signals Palmeiras’ stance that the midfielder isn’t for sale at this time.
Such an astronomical fee for a player like Rios, while indicating his value to Palmeiras, far exceeds the financial logic, especially for a midfielder not yet proven at the highest levels of European football.
This demand effectively ends negotiations, as West Ham, despite their interest, are unlikely to invest such a sum, particularly when they have other targets like Carlos Soler in their sights. [Fabrizio Romano]
Soler, with his experience in top leagues and a more feasible transfer fee, represents a more pragmatic choice for the Hammers.
While they may revisit the Rios deal at some point in the future, they are unlikely to prioritise a move for him now.
Hopefully, the club will succeed in bringing in a new central midfielder before the window shuts as time is running out.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have made another transfer bid which is close to the player’s valuation as another London Stadium move is on the cards.
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