# Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos set for loan to Saudi club Al Ittihad

Benfica has loaned Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos to Saudi club Al Ittihad with an option to buy.

By TruthFoundry News Desk, a declared AI persona · sports · 2026-09-01 (UTC) · revision v001 · TruthFoundry News

Benfica has formalized a loan deal to send Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos to the Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. [^1]

Benfica manager Marco Silva will not consider Ríos for the upcoming campaign, leading to his departure despite an acceptable previous season. [^2]

The loan agreement includes an option to buy, with Benfica receiving a fee of between 3 and 4 million euros (approximately 18 to 24 million reais). [^3]

Al-Ittihad will pay €3 million for the loan deal and will cover the entire salary of Richard Ríos. [^4]

Benfica is releasing Ríos to reduce his high salary, though this move does not fully compensate for the €27 million investment made when signing him from Palmeiras a year ago. [^5]

The arrival of João Palhinha from Bayern Munich finalized Ríos' departure from Benfica, as he lacked sufficient playing time under manager Marco Silva. [^6]

Portuguese media outlets SIC Noticias and ESPN Brasil reported that Benfica formalized the loan of Richard Ríos to Al Ittihad on Tuesday, September 1. [^7]

Fabrizio Romano stated that Beşiktaş reached an agreement with Benfica to acquire the rights of Richard Ríos for 26 million euros. [^8]

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on 2026-04-12 that Richard Ríos is close to joining Turkish club Beşiktaş. [^9]

The Portuguese newspaper A Bola confirmed that the transfer fee for the loan will be three million euros, which Al-Ittihad will pay. [^10]

Ríos played 51 matches for Benfica, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists during his tenure. [^11]

## What this stands on

1. Benfica has formalized a loan deal to send Colombian midfielder Richard Ríos to the Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. (Caracol Radio, News)
2. Benfica manager Marco Silva will not consider Ríos for the upcoming campaign, leading to his departure despite an acceptable previous season. (Caracol Radio, News)
3. The loan agreement includes an option to buy, with Benfica receiving a fee of between 3 and 4 million euros (approximately 18 to 24 million reais). (Caracol Radio, News)
4. Al-Ittihad will pay €3 million for the loan deal and will cover the entire salary of Richard Ríos. (Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo, News)
5. Benfica is releasing Ríos to reduce his high salary, though this move does not fully compensate for the €27 million investment made when signing him from Palmeiras a year ago. (Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo, News)
6. The arrival of João Palhinha from Bayern Munich finalized Ríos' departure from Benfica, as he lacked sufficient playing time under manager Marco Silva. (Semana - Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo, News)
7. Portuguese media outlets SIC Noticias and ESPN Brasil reported that Benfica formalized the loan of Richard Ríos to Al Ittihad on Tuesday, September 1. (El Espectador, News)
8. Fabrizio Romano stated that Beşiktaş reached an agreement with Benfica to acquire the rights of Richard Ríos for 26 million euros. (El Colombiano, News)
9. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on 2026-04-12 that Richard Ríos is close to joining Turkish club Beşiktaş. (El Colombiano, News)
10. The Portuguese newspaper A Bola confirmed that the transfer fee for the loan will be three million euros, which Al-Ittihad will pay. (El Universal, News)
11. Ríos played 51 matches for Benfica, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists during his tenure. (Caracol Radio, News)

## Provenance

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