Kyle Walker is currently in a battle for Premier League survival with Burnley.placeholder image
Kyle Walker is currently in a battle for Premier League survival with Burnley. | Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Man City never fully replace Kyle Walker when he left to join rivals Burnley in the summer transfer window.
Man City’s summer reshuffle has left a lingering question mark that still hasn’t quite been answered. Kyle Walker left to join Burnley at the start of the campaign removed not just a first-choice right-back, but one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted and tactically vital players.
As the summer window approaches, that lingering issue is back in focus. Strengthening at right-back is now viewed as a priority rather than a luxury, and City appear ready to move decisively to address it—with one of the Premier League’s most promising defenders firmly in their sights.
Man City and Arsenal set to battle for Livramento
According to Football Insider’s report, interest is intensifying as uncertainty grows around the defender’s future on Tyneside, particularly with contract talks yet to be resolved and Newcastle at risk of missing out on European football.
Livramento has impressed whenever available this season, despite injury setbacks limiting his game time. The 23-year-old has made 15 Premier League appearances, registering an 89.4% pass completion rate while averaging 5.64 recoveries per 90 minutes—numbers that underline both his composure in possession and defensive awareness.
Those attributes have not gone unnoticed. City view him as a long-term solution at right-back, while Arsenal are also keen as they look to reshape their defensive options. With Newcastle facing increasing pressure amid stalled contract negotiations and a challenging league campaign, there is a growing belief that Livramento could be one of the standout names in this summer’s transfer market.
Man City also keen on bargain right-back
Livramento isn’t the only right-back that Man City are targeting, as they are also reportedly keen on signing Sporting CP full-back Ivan Fresneda.
Man City are interested in the 21-year-old and have been scouting him over the past few months. Arsenal are reportedly the front-runners to sign the Spanish defender, but seeing as the Gunners already have Jurrien Timber and Ben White, Man City might be able to guarantee him more regular game time in the short-term.
He has a market value of just £10m, but based on the fact that there is interest in him from across Europe, Sporting could demand much more for him, but even so, that could make him a real bargain.
Fresneda has made 31 appearances for Sporting so far this season, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He is an attack-minded full-back, much like Livramento, so could be a really good alternative.
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