Newcastle will lose Kieran Trippier this summer but Tino Livramento has also been linked with a move away
Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento
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Newcastle United could be the market for THREE full-backs in the summer transfer window following Kieran Trippier's decision to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The experienced former England defender will look for a new challenge after four-and-a-half years on Tyneside, with his current deal entering its final months.
While Trippier's decision is perhaps not a huge surprise, given that he will turn 36 in September, it leaves Newcastle with a potential problem at right-back following the speculation over Tino Livramento's future.
The former Chelsea full-back was signed as the long-term successor to Trippier, and has certainly excelled in that role, becoming the first choice on the right side of the back line when fully fit.
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However, the 23-year-old's form over the last two season has led to interest from Manchester City, with the Premier League side reportedly ready to make a big offer for his services this summer.
There appears to be an acceptance among the United faithful that a failure to land Champions League football next season means Livramento's exit is almost inevitable, with City able to offer the defender a big-money contract.
However, United remain in talks with the player's representatives over a potential new deal., with meetings scheduled for the end of the season.
The club remain hopeful that, like Sven Botman, they can tie Livramento down to a longer-term deal, although his current contract still has two years to run.
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Arsenal have cooled their interest in the England star, but with United needing to sell to help fund summer investment, they are realstic enough to know that a sizeable bid from the likes of Man City will be hard to turn down.
Newcastle were already prioritising full-backs this summer, with little to no cover for Lewis Hall at left-back.
Harrison Ashby, signed from West Ham in January 2023, has not progressed as the club had hoped, with loans at Swansea, Queens Park Rangers and now Bradford City failing to kickstart his career.
Now 24, Ashby has made only six appearances for the Bantams since joining on loan in January, starting just once, while he is yet to feature in a competitve game for the Magpies.
Should Livramento leave, Newcastle could need to sign three full-backs to cover all bases, although may look to briing in a centre-back who can also play on the flanks.
With a new goalkeeper, centre-forward, central defender and midfield areas also in dire need of attention, it would be an extra issue they could do without.
Youngster Leo Shahar could move up the pecking order after making his Champions League debut this year, but is not expected to step into the first-team at this stage of his development.
Establishing Livramento's intentions at the earliest possible moment should be the priority ahead of what will be a hectic summer.