Milan Transfer Market: It’s Not Just Jackson and Ramos—A New Name for the Midfield Emerges from the 2026 World Cup

Ruben Amorim’s new Milan continues to take shape. The rebuilding effort spearheaded by the front office is proceeding on multiple fronts, and the 2026 World Cup is becoming an important showcase for identifying the right players. Up front, the names remain Gonçalo Ramos—a PSG player currently representing Portugal—and Nicolas Jackson, a Bayern Munich forward making waves with Senegal. These are two complex but viable options, both of which have been under observation for several days.

However, a new idea for the midfield has also emerged from the World Cup. The name is that of Colombian Richard Rios, currently with Benfica, who was seen playing for Colombia in the closing stages of matches against Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Born in 2000, he is a versatile midfielder who has long been on the radar of several European clubs: according to ‘Sportitalia’, Milan has very recently joined the list of clubs scouting him.

His name has come up due to the Rossoneri’s need to bring in a modern player capable of covering the field and adapting to Amorim’s style of play. Benfica has no intention of selling him off cheaply, given his estimated market value of around 25 million euros, but the World Cup could change everything—and that’s also why Milan wants to act early.

Born in Vegachí on June 2, twenty-six years ago, Richard Rios started out playing five-a-side soccer before being scouted in Brazil by Flamengo, which transitioned him to the 11-a-side version of the game. He then played in Mexico for Mazatlán, and again in Brazil for Guarani and Palmeiras, before joining Benfica for the 2025–2026 season, during which he earned a starting spot in both the league and the Champions League. With the Colombian national team, he has made 34 appearances and scored 2 goals (statistics updated on the eve of the third group stage match at the 2026 World Cup).