Manchester City are now in their close season after bowing out of the Club World Cup at the last-16 stage.
Fans will be hoping for a much better campaign – on the domestic and European front – next time out after a below-par 2024/25 season.
However, Manchester City’s 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal once again exposed flaws that the club needs to put right.
One such issue is at right-back, with Matheus Nunes showing he cannot really continue to be played out of position.
BBC Sport’s Man City reporter Shamoon Hafez has now discussed what he heard from the club regarding their right-back search prior to the Club World Cup.
Hafez also made a claim about Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, who has emerged as a target for the Citizens.
Newcastle United FC defender Tino Livramento in action against Nottingham Forest
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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The right-back position was deemed one to potentially ‘keep an eye on’ as Tino Livramento said to be a difficult target to sign
Hafez held a fan Q&A this week in which he discussed a number of topics related to City.
One supporter asked him whether it was imperative for the club to sort out their right-back problem.
“In short, yes, it is absolutely imperative to get this sorted before 16 August,” said Hafez (BBC Sport, 2/7/2025, 12:39).
“Matheus Nunes is not a right-back and we saw that against Al-Hilal on Monday night.
“The Portuguese has been shoehorned in as a square peg in a round hole and though he performed well in the group stages, the Saudi side were a step up in class and it was evident the club need to act in that position.”
Hafez said he had heard from City sources before the Club World Cup that the right-back position may have been one to keep an eye on – and now both eyes are “firmly fixed” on the situation.
He also appeared to play down the prospect of Livramento joining City as Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was reluctant to lose him – but a “tempting offer” may well turn the Magpies’ head.
“Sources had said before the start of the tournament the right-back position may be one to keep an eye on during the transfer window,” Hafez continued.
“Well, we’ve got both eyes firmly fixed on that situation now to see how they go about sorting it.
“Newcastle’s Tino Livramento has been linked, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be done as Eddie Howe is unlikely to sanction his exit unless a tempting offer is made.”
Other right-backs on Manchester City’s radar
While Livramento would be a great option for City, he’ll be a difficult signing to make, especially since Newcastle are also in the Champions League.
However, there are other targets. For instance, Manchester City are eyeing Kiliann Sildillia, who played 12 times with Rayan Cherki in France’s Under-21 side.
Man City have also been linked with Flamengo’s Wesley – it has even been reported that Pep Guardiola now prefers the Brazilian star over Newcastle’s Tino Livramento.