Al-Ittihad signs Richard Rios: The loan deal without a buy option behind the media stunt

In the afternoon in Jeddah, a short video spread rapidly across social media. A man walks into a coffee shop, requests a brew from Colombian beans, bypassing the Ethiopian and Costa Rican options. Just hours later, Al-Ittihad officially announced the loan signing of Richard Rios from Benfica. No one discussed the €3-4 million loan fee, no one mentioned the absence of a buy option. All anyone talked about was the Colombian coffee. Meanwhile, the headline on Goal.com caused serious confusion: "A new signing for Al-Nassr: Al-Ittihad gives up on Al-Qahwa Al-Arabi in favour of Reus". The actual content had nothing to do with Al-Nassr or Marco Reus. This is a classic clickbait tactic, exploiting the appeal of Cristiano Ronaldo and Reus's recent transfer to drive traffic. Al-Nassr fans clicked and realized they were deceived. Al-Ittihad fans were confused about who their club had actually signed. Richard Rios, 26, is a Colombian box-to-box midfielder. At Benfica in the 2026-24 season, he made 51 appearances across all competitions, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists. These numbers suggest a high-energy player, but not a game-changing star. He arrived at Benfica from Palmeiras for €16 million just a year ago. Now, Benfica accepted a loan with a fee of only €3-4 million, while allowing Al-Ittihad to cover his full salary. No buy option. This is a very peculiar deal structure. From a financial perspective, this is a smart decision for Al-Ittihad. They spend a small fee, make no long-term commitment, and can evaluate Rios over a season before deciding whether to buy him permanently. With a Public Investment Fund (PIF) backing, €3-4 million is a negligible amount. But for Benfica, this is a gamble. They lose a player for a season, recoup only a small fee, and if Rios underperforms in Saudi Arabia, his market value will continue to decline. More important is the strategic context. Rios is the fourth midfielder Al-Ittihad has brought in during the current summer mercato, after Rakan Kaabi from Al-Feiha, Mokhtar Ali from Al-Ettifaq, and Dion Lopy from Almeria. Four new midfielders in one transfer window is a clear signal: the club is building squad depth to cope with a congested fixture schedule and the demanding physical intensity of the Saudi Pro League. But it also raises questions about dressing-room balance. With four new signings in the same position, the coach will face a difficult puzzle regarding rotation and keeping all players satisfied. The timing of the announcement is also noteworthy. Just two days before the Clasico against Al-Nassr in Round 5 of the Saudi Roshn League, Al-Ittihad released the coffee video and confirmed the deal. This is a deliberate psychological move. They want to send a message to their rivals: we are strengthening, we are ready for the title race. But will Rios be registered in time? The answer is expected to be clear within the next few hours. If the paperwork is completed, he could come off the bench as a fresh-legs option. If not, this signing loses its immediate tactical value. The truth is that Rios is not a blockbuster signing. He is a capable player, but not a top star. At Benfica, he played a rotational role, not a guaranteed starter. His move to Saudi Arabia suggests he was not in Benfica's long-term plans, and he may be seeking more consistent playing time. The absence of a buy option also suggests Benfica still believes in his resale value, or they want to use this season to boost his market value before a permanent sale to another European club. What's interesting is how Al-Ittihad approaches the transfer market. They are not trying to sign top superstars like Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr. Instead, they are building a deep, competitive squad through smart signings. Four new midfielders in one window could be a deliberate strategy to dominate the midfield battle over a long season. But it could also be a sign that the current midfield, possibly including aging stars like N'Golo Kanté, is facing fitness or form issues. The upcoming Clasico will be the first test for Rios if he is registered in time. An impressive debut could immediately endear him to fans. But if he fails to deliver, the pressure will weigh heavily on him. In a league where all eyes are on foreign signings, being labeled a "flop" is all too easy. As for the media stunt, the coffee video is a clever marketing strategy. It generates organic social media engagement, differentiating Al-Ittihad from other Saudi clubs' traditional unveilings. But the clickbait headline from Goal.com is a stain. It damages the publication's credibility and confuses fans. In an increasingly competitive sports media market, trading credibility for clicks is a double-edged sword. The Saudi Pro League is witnessing a fierce three-horse race between Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ittihad. All three are backed by PIF, all have abundant financial resources. The difference will lie in squad depth and tactical adaptability. Al-Ittihad is addressing this by signing capable but not overly expensive players. Rios is one piece in that larger picture. But the biggest questions remain unanswered: Can Rios adapt to the physical intensity of the Saudi Pro League? Can he find his place in a squad already overloaded with midfielders? And will this loan deal without a buy option truly deliver long-term value for Al-Ittihad, or is it just a temporary solution to a deeper problem? Only time and the upcoming matches can answer these questions. For now, all we have is a cup of Colombian coffee and a deal full of uncertainties.