Manchester United will need to speed up move for first summer signing: report

Manchester United face a race against time to land their first summer signing.

Caretaker Michael Carrick is hoping to bolster his ranks once given the full-time reins at Old Trafford and has already turned his attention towards refreshing the midfield.

With Casemiro departing at the end of this season, United have identified Benfica's Richard Rios as a preferred replacement for the outgoing Brazilian in the engine room.

Manchester United's preferred target is on other clubs' radars

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The Red Devils are said to have already made contact for the Colombia international in hopes of making him a cornerstone of their summer rebuild for around €45 million.

But Carrick's side are set to face growing competition with Fulham already in the hunt for Rios while another contender has now joined the Premier League counterparts..

According to O Jogo via Sport Witness, Napoli are now preparing to test Benfica's resolve by making the 25-year-old one of their top targets in the transfer window.

Scouts from the reigning Serie A holders are said to have watched Rios in-person over recent weeks including during his star turn for The Eagles against Moreirense.

However the Partenopei's valuation of the player is considerably lower than United's valuation with a figure of €30 million falling short of Benfica's current asking price.

Jose Mourinho's side are understood to be holding out for a figure closer to €35 million, which could rise based on Rios's performances at this summer's World Cup.

Benfica have already protected the playmaker's value with a €100 million release clause in his contract, which still has four years remaining in the Portuguese capital.

Rios has made 43 appearances for the Primeira Liga outfit, who are seven points off leaders Porto in the title race, in all competitions and contributed six goals.

Since receiving a senior Colombia call-up, he has featured 30 times for his country and is expected to feature prominently during their World Cup Group K campaign.

A showdown with Portugal at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on 28 June would see him pitted against prospective new United teammates Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.