Manchester City are reportedly ready to make a summer move for Newcastle United star Valentino Livramento.
Manchester City are preparing to step up their pursuit of Valentino Livramento as they look to reshape their defensive options ahead of next season.
City have monitored Livramento’s development closely since his move to Newcastle United, and this summer could finally bring a formal approach. The right-back has been on the club’s radar across multiple transfer windows, and the need for a natural solution on the flank has only intensified.
With the exit of Kyle Walker fading and makeshift adjustments required at times, City are believed to want a specialist who can offer both defensive reliability and attacking thrust. Livramento, when fully fit, ticks those boxes.
A modern full-back in demand
Under Eddie Howe, Livramento has grown into one of the Premier League’s most dynamic right-backs. Last season, he featured 45 times as Newcastle United secured a fifth-place finish and lifted the EFL Cup, underlining his importance to the side.
This term, however, has been more stop-start. Injury setbacks have restricted him to 19 appearances, with the defender sidelined since January and not expected back until mid-March. Despite that, his reputation has not dimmed.
According to Football Insider, Manchester City are not thought to be deterred by his injury history. The club’s recruitment model often prioritises ceiling and technical suitability over short-term availability concerns. When fit, Livramento offers pace, composure in possession and the ability to invert into midfield, qualities that align neatly with City’s tactics.
Newcastle United, meanwhile, face uncertainty regarding Champions League qualification. Should they miss out on Europe’s top competition, retaining key assets may become more complicated, particularly with elite clubs circling.
Filling the right-back void
Internally, Manchester City acknowledge that while Matheus Nunes has performed admirably when deployed in a deeper role, he is not a long-term defensive solution. Pep Guardiola’s system demands positional intelligence and technical assurance from his full-backs, especially during transitional phases.
Livramento’s profile fits that requirement as he is comfortable both overlapping and underlapping, he combines athleticism with maturity beyond his years. For a side competing on multiple fronts each season, depth and durability are essential, and City are planning accordingly.
The interest is not fleeting as even if a deal does not materialise immediately, Manchester City are expected to remain attentive to any shift in Newcastle’s stance. Should there be even a hint that Livramento is attainable, the Sky Blues would likely move swiftly.
From a strategic standpoint, this feels like a natural evolution for Manchester City. They require renewal in key positions, and targeting a 23-year-old with Premier League experience makes sense. However, the injury factor cannot be ignored. Investing heavily in a player who has endured recurring setbacks carries inherent risk, particularly for a team built on consistency and availability.
If Livramento stays fit, he has the tools to thrive at the Etihad. But for both player and club, the next few months may prove decisive. Newcastle’s European fate, City’s recruitment priorities, and Livramento’s recovery trajectory will all shape what could become one of the more intriguing defensive moves of the summer window.