Man City lead Arsenal in race to sign "fantastic" star who's been compared to Gareth Bale | OneFootball

Manchester City reportedly lead Arsenal in the race for the transfer of Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento.

The 23-year-old has shone at St James’ Park and could now be someone the Magpies struggle to keep hold of, though it seems Arsenal might struggle to afford him.

That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states that Man City currently look more likely to be able to make the right kind of financial commitment to sign Livramento this summer.

The report suggests Livramento is one of City’s top targets, but that Arsenal also have a strong interest in the England international.

Tino Livramento looks ready for a big move

Livramento has looked like an elite talent for some time now, having first really caught the eye at former club Southampton.

Ex-Gunner Theo Walcott was full of praise for Livramento at the time, telling talkSPORT that he had been “fantastic” for them and that he even reminded him of Gareth Bale.

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“It just shows that there’s a future star there but again we need to be careful as we always do but its why we love football isn’t it? I can’t complain, he’s been absolutely fantastic,” Walcott said of Livramento back in 2021.

“Do you know what, he reminds me a little bit of Gareth (Bale) when he came through as a full-back.

“That’s a big statement of course to compare him to someone like that but just feel like his presence and the way he drives and the pace and the power and it’s no surprises that you know what he’s going to do.

“He’s so strong with the ball and very clever and technically he is fantastic.”

Newcastle could lose star names this summer

TEAMtalk also mention Newcastle facing interest in Italian midfield maestro Sandro Tonali this summer.

IT could be a difficult transfer window again for NUFC after they lost Alexander Isak last year, with Tonali and Livramento’s futures now looking uncertain.

On top of that, the Telegraph have reported on Anthony Gordon wanting to leave, and the England international wasn’t in Eddie Howe’s squad for the Bournemouth game today.