Tottenham set to miss out on Richard Rios as Roma close in

Tottenham Hotspur may have landed a marquee name in Mohammed Kudus, but a glaring need at defensive midfield still looms — and they may be about to let the perfect solution slip through their fingers.

Richard Rios to Tottenham has gained serious traction this month. But now, Fabrizio Romano reports that AS Roma are leading the race for the Palmeiras midfield general, leaving Spurs watching from the sidelines.

Roma are believed to be offering close to €30m with performance-based add-ons. While Spurs have shown interest in Rios, they’ve yet to submit a firm bid — despite Palmeiras reportedly offering Richarlison in a separate £55m deal Spurs could leverage to negotiate.

Tottenham’s midfield looked thin even before the summer. With European football on the line and Enzo Maresca eager to mould a title-contending squad, the reluctance to act fast on players like Rios could haunt them come October.

Tottenham’s top-four push demands more than flair. While Kudus and Mathys Tel add firepower, the departure of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and ongoing trust in youth like Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall leaves Spurs light in defensive control.

Thomas Frank’s coaching influence can improve structure — but he can’t conjure tackles from thin air.

Palmeiras’ willingness to negotiate Richarlison’s return gives Spurs a unique bargaining chip. With Roma relying on add-ons and Spurs holding the player Palmeiras want, there’s still a path to bringing Rios to North London — but the clock is ticking.

For £25m–£30m, Rios is a Premier League-calibre enforcer with Champions League upside. Compared to Declan Rice’s £100m price tag or João Palhinha’s valuation, the Colombian international offers ridiculous value.

Spurs have watched other affordable targets escape — they can’t keep doing this if top-four is truly the aim.

Tottenham face a make-or-break moment in the Rios pursuit. Roma are edging closer to Palmeiras’ €30m asking price, and without a serious counter from Spurs, the Colombian star could be wearing maroon and gold before the end of the week.

With Richarlison subject to a £55m bid from Palmeiras, Spurs have a unique opportunity to swing negotiations in their favour — but only if they act fast.

If they miss out, expect pressure to mount on the club to secure a defensive midfielder before pre-season kicks into full gear. Other targets may cost more and offer less upside than Rios, who looks like a bargain slipping away.

Should Spurs push the deal through now — or risk losing Rios to Roma?