Newcastle United are bracing for a summer transfer window that will likely involve many key decisions on the sale of several first-team players.
The Magpies are expected to weigh potential sales alongside recruitment plans for a near-full-blown rebuild, particularly if they fail to qualify for any European competition.
Defensive options are lacking already and will probably be thinner next season unless a flurry of incoming transfers happens. Now, adding insult to injury, England international Tino
Livramento’s emergence as a regular contributor following his performances at right-back has simply placed him in another dimension.
Problem is, all of that—and his upcoming World Cup participation—is probably placing Tino on the outside looking in, even against Newcastle’s hopes.
According to Football Insider, any outgoing business is expected to be carefully assessed based on value and long-term impact, and that includes a potential sale of Livramento.
“If they miss out on Europe, which looks inevitable now, you would think that they would maybe look to supplement the SCR position by selling a player,” Stefan Borson told Football Insider. “Then you look at who the candidates might be, and it’s got to be a player that’s going to bring in some book profits. They’re going to be caught slightly in that dilemma between an older player but one that’s critical.
“Then Livramento, of course, we know City would buy him tomorrow if a fee could be agreed. But what is the fee for Livramento that can work? Will City pay £70m? They might do, but there’s probably not any other buyer for Livramento at £70m in the world. That might mean that Tonali is a better bet, just because there’s more potential buyers.”
Manchester City are understood to be monitoring Livramento closely as they assess options to strengthen at right-back ahead of the upcoming window.
No official approach has been reported for now, but it’s fair to assume the minute City locks into landing him, they’ll pony up as much money as needed to make it happen…, and Newcastle might actually be better off capitalizing now rather than stubbornly rejecting whatever the Cityzens have to offer.
