Guimaraes replacement: Newcastle make contact to sign ‘world-class’ star – report…

Newcastle United has reached out to Benfica regarding a potential transfer for midfielder Richard Rios, aiming to fill the void left by Bruno Guimaraes, as reported by Football Insider.

The Magpies have experienced significant changes this summer, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali already departing, Eddie Howe stepping down as manager, and captain Guimaraes nearing a lucrative transfer to Arsenal.

To address these departures, the club has already signed Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, Seun Steur, Aladji Bamba, and Lukas Hornicek, and new manager Matthias Jaissle may soon add another key player to the roster.

Contact Made for Rios

Rios, who Jurgen Klopp has labeled as ‘world-class’, joined Benfica from Palmeiras in the summer of 2025 following a standout performance at the Club World Cup.

In his debut season with the Portuguese club, the Colombian midfielder made 45 appearances and netted eight goals, which has piqued the interest of Newcastle as they aim to revamp their squad.

The 26-year-old has been pinpointed as a target for the Toon, and they have initiated preliminary discussions to expedite their pursuit of a new central midfielder.

Rios is viewed as a potential direct replacement for the Brazilian international, with his robust playing style and ability to regain possession being significant assets for Newcastle’s needs.

It remains uncertain what the financial implications of a transfer would be or if Rios and Benfica are amenable to a deal, but Newcastle is keen to act in the closing weeks of the transfer window to ensure competitiveness for the 2026/27 season.

Newcastle Requires a High-Profile Signing.

Newcastle’s activities in the transfer window thus far have evidently focused on future prospects rather than immediate success. However, with the captain and key leader departing, along with other stars who have already moved on, there is a pressing need for immediate quality.

Rios brings a wealth of experience at the highest level, having earned 37 caps for Colombia since 2023, and his performances during this summer’s World Cup demonstrated his ability to be a subtle leader as well.

In the coming weeks, Newcastle must make a significant signing to regain the support of their fans and to reassure the remaining players that the club is committed to competing and challenging, rather than fading away.