Manchester United welcome fellow high-flyers Brentford to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday evening.
The Red Devils have largely been in good form since Michael Carrick was named as caretaker head coach back in January, although they have won just two of their last five games.
Last time out United defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, which could prove to be a decisive result in the race for Champions League qualification.
Ahead of the visit of the Bees, it has emerged that Manchester United are monitoring an impressive South American midfielder.
According to CaughtOffside, Man United have been keeping tabs on Benfica star Richard Rios ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
United are set to lose veteran midfielder Casemiro at the end of the current campaign, and those in charge of their recruitment are therefore working to identify potential replacements.
Rios is on the radar of Manchester United (Photo: ZUMA Press, Inc/Alamy)
Rios, 25, joined Benfica from Brazilian side Palmeiras last year and has so far impressed during his debut season in Portugal.
The Colombian has made 42 appearances across all competitions so far this term, scoring five goals and providing the same number of assists.
It is claimed that the midfielder is likely to leave Benfica this summer, with the Portuguese side valuing the player at around £40 million.
Interested clubs – including Fulham and Serie A champions Napoli – are said to consider the player to be worth around £26 million, though, according to the report.
Rios is under contract in Lisbon until the end of the 2029/30 campaign, having signed a long-term deal when joining the club last summer.
Benfica appear to be resigned to the fact that Rios could leave this summer, but the report does suggest that they could wait until after the World Cup to see if the player’s price tag could rise.