Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly considering a summer move for Southampton starlet and former Chelsea academy ace Valentino Livramento.
In an interview with Arsenal 442, CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed Arsenal’s interest in Valentino Livramento. The Southampton defender is among the players targeted by Mikel Arteta, who is keen on reinforcing his options and adding more quality to the Arsenal side this summer.
Formerly of the Chelsea academy, Livramento has been one of the rising stars in the Premier League following his €5 million move to Southampton last summer. During his debut season at St. Mary’s, the youngster has racked up 27 league appearances, becoming a first-team regular for the Saints.
Although Livramento has primarily played as a right-back for Southampton, he is a versatile wide player who can cover the entire right flank. During the early stage of his youth career at Chelsea, the youngster even played as a winger, so he has the attacking quality to offer support going forward.
It makes the job easier for the 19-year-old to transition into a wing-back. Livramento could thus prove to be an ideal addition to the Arsenal side desperate for reinforcements in the full-back department this summer.
On Arsenal’s right flank, new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has struggled with injuries. The Japanese international is also a more defence-oriented full-back and is far more suited to a central defensive role. But with Ainsley Maitland-Niles joining AS Roma on loan in January, Arteta has had to rely on the services of Cedric Soares.
The Portuguese international has done well to deputise for the injured Tomiyasu, but he does not have the quality to become Arsenal’s first-team regular next season. That is when Livramento comes into the fray, having showcased a lot of potential since joining Southampton from Chelsea this season.
The former Chelsea youth prospect can be an ideal attack-minded alternative for Tomiyasu at right-back next season, ultimately adding more depth to the Arsenal defence.
The young Englishman might cost a fortune, though, as his current contract at Southampton does not expire until 2026. Fortunately for Arsenal, they have no shortage of alternatives, having recently been linked with a move for Norwich City starlet Max Aarons.
Arsenal are also keeping close tabs on Shakhtar Donetsk starlet Dodo, although they may have to fork out €20 million to secure the services of the emerging Brazilian star.
