Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a swap deal with Newcastle United - and it could work out perfectly for Pep Guardiolaplaceholder image
Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a swap deal with Newcastle United - and it could work out perfectly for Pep Guardiola | Getty Images
Manchester City are reportedly weighing up a swap deal with Newcastle United - and it could work out perfectly for Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola’s side can move to within one point of the Gunners with a win over the Magpies as Arsenal host North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
While City’s focus will be on the pitch on Saturday, there could also be some off-field matters discussed between the pair on Saturday.
That is because it has been reported by TEAMtalk that City could “sign Tino Livramento from Newcastle via a huge player-plus-cash deal.”
The 23-year-old right-back is one of England’s most promising young defenders and has been used frequently by Magpies boss Eddie Howe over recent seasons.
And Guardiola’s side are incredibly keen to secure a deal for the youngster. City have yet to find a solid replacement for Kyle Walker, who was a key part of the success under Guardiola but he has since departed.
Newcastle do not want to lose Livramento, who they signed for £32m from Southampton in 2023. He is under contract until 2028 but as highlighted by the Alexander Isak saga, contracts can mean little these days.
One way that City are said to be ready to tempt Newcastle into doing business is by offering James Trafford as part of the deal. Newcastle wanted the ex-Burnley man in the summer but he returned to City for around £27m.
However, Gianluigi Donorumma became available and with £26m getting the hulking Italian to the Premier League - City jumped at the chance. That has halted Trafford’s progress and left him as the number two.
The move would be a perfect one for City. Donorumma still has plenty of years ahead of him and Trafford would not have been dislodging the ex-AC Milan star anytime soon.
Livramento has the potential to have the same impact Walker did at the club while Trafford’s days are already numbered.
Newcastle were incredibly resistant to losing Isak to Liverpool in the summer but eventually relented as a £125m deal was agreed. However, if City were able to come with an immediate sweetener to the deal in the shape of Trafford, then the Magpies might be more open to doing business with Guardiola’s side.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea man Ashley Cole is a big fan of Livramento, as he said of him previously: “He’s got that personality and desire. Whatever level he wants to get to, he can get to. I think he's got a beautiful future.”
Theo Walcott, who played with him at Southampton, also has high hopes for him. He said: “He’s kind of a right-footed Gareth Bale in the way he runs,” Walcott said. “I can see it in him. He has the presence and leadership.”
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