Man City transfer update: Latest on Tino Livramento and more | OneFootball

Manchester City prepare for pivotal 2026 squad refresh

Manchester City are already mapping out plans for 2026, with subtle gaps emerging beneath the surface of what remains one of Europe’s deepest squads, according to The Athletic. There is no sense of widespread weakness, but certain positions appear more temporary than settled, particularly in defence and attack, as Pep Guardiola continues to seek refinement rather than reconstruction.

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Right back uncertainty remains

The right back role, still unresolved, has been filled reactively rather than conclusively. City have rotated Matheus Nunes and Abdukodir Khusanov through the position this season as makeshift solutions, while Rico Lewis appears to have drifted away from contention there. January reinforcement looks unlikely, with attention instead firmly fixed on next summer as the prime moment to secure a specialist option.

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The issue is one of balance rather than necessity. Guardiola values structural stability and attacking thrust from full back areas, but the current solutions lack consistency in delivery and defensive assurance. That absence becomes more noticeable against elite opposition where positional detail and timing matter most.

Right wing reliance grows

Another watch point highlighted by The Athletic is the right wing. Oscar Bobb and Savinho are preferred options but neither is providing the decisive contributions Guardiola expects. Their limited end product has increased the team’s reliance on Erling Haaland to convert pressure into goals, narrowing the attacking spectrum and forcing City to look predictable at times in the final third.

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With two or three senior players routinely missing out on matchday squads, the arrival of any marquee winger is likely to necessitate departures to free squad space, adding further intrigue to the projected summer reshuffle.

Livramento placed firmly on radar

Tino Livramento remains the standout candidate at right back. The Athletic notes that the Newcastle defender, now established as one of the Premier League’s most complete operators in his role, is “highly appreciated at City.” He was considered the primary target during the previous recruitment cycle but deemed unavailable.

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That stance may soften in 2026. With the 23 year old under contract until 2028 and valued close to £100 million, discussions would require significant investment and strategic conviction. Yet his technical blend of recovery pace, ball progression and defensive reliability fits Guardiola’s model tightly.

Outgoings shape summer decisions

Sales may establish the framework for any refresh. Manuel Akanji has spent time on loan at Inter with an option of €15 million (£13.2m). Nathan Ake, Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish could also depart permanently.

Grealish has rediscovered form at Everton, who hold a £50 million option. However, as David Ornstein and Patrick Boyland reported, “it is unlikely the clause will be activated, but it is plausible a fresh negotiation could take place.”

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Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This feels like the calm before a calculated shift rather than an overhaul. The squad remains elite, but the right back situation has lingered for too long without resolution, and the lack of cutting edge on the right wing has become too obvious to ignore. Livramento looks like the perfect solution, premium priced but custom built for Guardiola’s positional demands. The fanbase would accept a nine figure fee if it finally locks down a key role for the next five streamlined seasons.

Outgoings also feel inevitable. Grealish’s revival is pleasing but his salary footprint limits flexibility. If Everton or another suitor comes back with a workable structure, sentimentality should not stand in the way. Kovacic, Phillips and potentially Ake appear equally expendable given squad depth and financial realities.

Most supporters believe 2026 is shaping up as a decisive recruitment window. With Haaland still the focal point, refreshing the flanks and reinforcing defensive balance could extend City’s domestic dominance and keep the Champions League push fully alive.