While the summer transfer window is just heating up, Napoli are already making their first decisive moves. The Italian giants, looking to reinforce their midfield, have set their sights on a rising star from Portugal.

According to reports from transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Partenopei have initiated preliminary contact with Benfica regarding Colombian international Richard Rios. The 25-year-old midfielder has quickly become a top priority for Napoli's sporting director, Giovanni Manna, who is a known admirer of his dynamic playing style.

This isn't the first time Rios has attracted Serie A interest; Roma were strongly linked with him last summer before he secured his move to Benfica. Napoli's early maneuvering appears to be a strategic play to avoid a similar bidding war and secure their man ahead of the competition.

Rios's combative and technically sound profile is seen as an ideal fit for Napoli's system as they aim to build a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts. His energy and ball-winning ability could provide the perfect foundation in the engine room for the club's ambitions.

With Manna leading the charge, the coming weeks will be critical to see if these early talks can progress into a full-blown negotiation. Napoli are signaling their intent to act swiftly and decisively in the market to build a competitive team for the future.