Manchester City won't be taking the Club World Cup trophy home with them after all, after a dramatic 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal in the pre-season tournament.
Pep Guardiola and Co.'s defensive frailties were clear for all to see when watching the back-and-forth knockout tie in Orlando, with the Citizens registering a bumper 30 shots in total, only to be undone in extra-time by Simone Inzaghi's never-say-die side.
With the tournament now out of the way, City can press on with even more signings away from previously landing Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri in quick succession, as the rumour mill begins to kick back into life.
Man City's transfer latest
It has been somewhat quiet on the transfer front from City's point of view after landing all those high-profile names in quickfire fashion, with the main hot topic centring on Kevin De Bruyne finding a new club to call his home in Napoli, alongside Oscar Bobb reportedly being looked at by Serie A giants Juventus.
However, a new development seems to suggest City will be busy with another fresh incoming very soon.
Newcastle's Tino Livramento
Indeed, Football Insider's Mick Brown has now revealed that City will accelerate a move for Newcastle United star Tino Livramento to join the Etihad ranks, with the Magpies defender now done with his England U21 international duties at the Euros.
Scouts had even been sent on City's end to watch Livramento in action at the tournament as Guardiola's men try and hunt down a long-term right-back replacement for Kyle Walker.
After lifting the Euros trophy, the in-the-spotlight 22-year-old's summer could become even better if he seals a switch to the sky blue half of Manchester shortly, with Livramento's attacking qualities playing out from defence in the Premier League potentially making him a perfect candidate to be Guardiola's next João Cancelo.
Why Livramento can be Pep's next Cancelo
Cancelo was once a regular mainstay of the City XI, but in Orlando, he was having the last laugh over his ex-employers when contributing with an assist for Al-Hilal to down the Citizens 4-3.
Irrespective of this memorable contribution souring his relationship with his former side even more, the Portuguese full-back was a firm fan favourite previously, with nine goals and 22 assists coming his way from 154 appearances at the Etihad.
man-city-premier-league-trophy-cancelo-mahrez
Three Premier League titles would even be lifted by the long-standing City servant before a move to Al-Hilal opened up, with Guardiola never fully recovering from Cancelo's exit, arguably, having had to now force Matheus Nunes into an uncomfortable position down the right-hand side when he's far more suited to a central midfield role.
This is where Livramento could well come to the rescue in offering the Spaniard a more reliable, attack-oriented option down the right resembling Cancelo at this peak, with their similarities not just ending there.
Livramento's career numbers at LB/RB vs Cancelo's
Player
Livramento
Livramento
Cancelo
Cancelo
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Much like the one-time Champions League winner, the promising 22-year-old can also comfortably slot into any side in the left-back spot away from just the right, as seen in his 19 career games lining up on the opposing channel.
The London-born defender is some way off hitting Cancelo's elite level when you consider the table further, but with Ait-Nouri already making that left channel look his own at the Club World Cup - with two key passes registered from his 119 touches versus Al-Hilal - Guardiola would surely drop Livramento into any upcoming City team selections on the right.
Having also amassed 14 goal contributions further up the pitch in the right midfield position, this could really go down as a golden deal much like when Cancelo first entered the building, with Toon content creator Kendall Rowan once referring to the youngster as a "superstar."
City clearly requires even more fresh blood after a reality check loss to Al-Hilal, with their next major buy perhaps coming in the form of snapping up Livramento for a substantial £60m.
man-city-premier-league-etihad Related
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The Citizens are feeling confident.