Newcastle United are reportedly in advanced talks with Southampton to sign 20-year-old talented full-back Valentino Livramento this summer in a potential £15 million deal.
Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign Southampton wide man Tino Livramento. That is according to reports from Daily Telegraph, who say negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs, with Newcastle United keen on signing a new right-back.
The Magpies, who are set to confirm the £60 million signing of AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali in the coming days, are looking to strengthen a number of positions ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.
Kieran Trippier has been integral to the Magpies’ success since he joined the club in January last year. But there is a lack of cover behind the England international, which is something they are looking to address. And it appears that Livramento is high on their radar.
Eddie Howe believes his versatility to operate both as a right-back and a left-back and his big potential can make him a key addition to his squad. A Chelsea academy graduate, Livramento featured for the West London outfit only a handful of times before joining Southampton for £5 million in 2021, with Chelsea placing a buy-back clause of £25 million in the deal.
Livramento instantly became the first-choice right-back and enjoyed a fantastic first season, starting 27 matches for the Saints. He was regarded as one of the best young full-backs in the Premier League and was not only playing consistently at the age of 18 but also caught an eye with his athleticism, burst of speed, and final-third impact.
But his progress was hampered after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April 2022, only returning to the first team on the south coast in May this year. Regardless, the 20-year-old remains highly rated in the game and could be offered an immediate route back to the top flight by Newcastle United.
The Saints suffered relegation to the Championship after finishing rock bottom of the Premier League last season. They are now expected to lose several players, including Kyle Walker-Peters, Armel Bella-Kotchap, and Romeo Lavia. And it seems Livramento could also be made available at a reduced price due to his injuries.
As things stand, Southampton’s price tag is proving to be a stumbling block, with the Saints valuing the full-back at £25 million. But Newcastle are driving a hard bargain and pushing to get the deal done around £15 million, with Ryan Fraser expected to go in the opposite direction as part of the bid. There is optimism in the Magpies’ camp that a deal will be struck as talks have advanced.
Of course, Livramento’s time on the sidelines will mean he is a risky signing for the club at this moment in time. So they will rely on the young wide man returning to his best form prior to his injuries. But you feel it is one the Toon could probably afford to take.
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A move to St. James’ Park would be a big step up for the talented right-back. And with UEFA Champions League football also on offer, the prospect of joining the north-east outfit could prove too tempting to pass up for the 20-year-old. It will be interesting to see how it plays out and where Livramento ends up.