Manchester City look to have locked in on their preferred right-back to add to Pep Guardiola’s squad | OneFootball

Looking ahead to the January and summer transfer windows, there look to be two main positions that Manchester City will look to strengthen. It would not be a surprise to see City move for another winger or attacking player in January. Omar Marmoush will be unavailable for an extended period of time due to the African Cup of Nations. City could benefit from signing another attacking player next month. It would also seem that Pep Guardiola’s squad would benefit from signing a right-back. That move appears to be one that will likely take place in the summer and there is one player who is emerging as City’s main target for the right-back role.

Manchester City seem destined to move for Newcastle United’s versatile full-back Tino Livramento.

Two new reports have emerged that state that Manchester City could move for Tino Livramento next summer. The first comes from Craig Hope for the Daily Mail. Hope reports that Tino Livramento is set to delay any decision on signing a contract extension with Newcastle United until near the end of this season. Furthermore, Hope reports that Livramento’s long-term future is uncertain. Hope further reports that Manchester City have a strong interest in signing the England international. Lastly, it is also reported that if Newcastle United qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, Tino Livramento could sign a contract extension with Newcastle. Newcastle United are determined to keep Livramento at the club as per Craig Hope’s report.

Jordan Campbell has reported for The Athletic that Manchester City decided not to pursue a move for Tino Livramento last summer as they deemed a move for the England international as out of reach. Furthermore, Campbell reports that Tino Livramento is highly appreciated as a player at City. Campbell also reports that City could have to pay near enough to £100 million to sign Tino Livramento from Newcastle United if he doesn’t sign a contract extension with Eddie Howe’s side.

It would seem to be a matter of when City will move for Tino Livramento not if they will move for the England international.

All indications are that Manchester City have identified Tino Livramento as the primary transfer target to come in at right-back. Matheus Nunes has done a superb job playing in the position this season. Nunes’ game has improved and there is no reason why he cannot remain as Manchester City’s first-choice right-back for this season. Abdukodir Khusanov can step in for Nunes when required. It would be almost impossible for City to sign Tino Livramento in January so the England international would look to be a summer target for City.

Based on Craig Hope and Jordan Campbell’s reports it seems to now be a matter of when City will make their move to sign Tino Livramento from Newcastle, not if they will make that particular move. There is now too much noise to suggest otherwise. Livramento would almost be the ideal signing for City. He is a homegrown player blessed with tremendous technical ability and he is a tremendous defender at either left or right-back. He is also the ideal age to arrive at City as an established player with his best years ahead of him. Livramento ticks every box required of a potential Manchester City signing.

As of right now, unless Livramento extends his contract with Newcastle, it seems that City will move to sign Tino Livramento. It will likely be a move that Manchester City will pursue next summer. Whether or not that move will be successful remains to be seen. But it would appear that City have identified their top target to sign for the right-back position.