Newcastle United ramps up bids for Benfica midfielder Richard Rios and Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall

Newcastle United is preparing to re‑enter negotiations for Benfica's 26‑year‑old midfielder Richard Rios. The Portuguese club signed the Colombian international for €27 million and says there is no pressure to sell, but Newcastle sees Rios’s box‑to‑box profile and recent form as a perfect fit for its midfield needs ahead of the season’s decisive phase.

At the same time, both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have sharpened their offers for Tottenham’s 20‑year‑old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall. Sources say the clubs are ready to meet a valuation of around £50 million, which Bergvall is believed to consider necessary for regular first‑team football. Tottenham may block the move, but the player’s desire for more playing time has intensified the transfer race. Both English clubs aim to bolster their central midfield squads before the summer window closes.