Richard Ríos is heading to Al-Ittihad on loan from Benfica. It’s a season-long deal, and apparently, Al-Ittihad is paying about 3 million euros for it. What’s interesting is that there’s no option for them to buy him afterwards, which tells us Benfica wants to keep their options open.
They’re really counting on Ríos. He had a solid first year in Portugal, scoring 8 goals and getting 7 assists in 51 games. Benfica sees him as a key player for the future, and he’s under contract with them until 2030.
Al-Ittihad is getting a midfielder who plays with a lot of energy and can cover a lot of ground. He’s good with the ball, especially under pressure, and can handle himself well when the game transitions. He should bring some real drive to their midfield.
For Benfica, this loan means they save on his salary and get a fee, while still owning him for future seasons or a potential sale to another European club. Al-Ittihad gets a quality player right away without making a long-term financial commitment. Ríos is good at moving the ball forward, even in crowded areas, and he works hard defensively. He fits well with the other talented players on the Al-Ittihad squad as they compete for trophies.
