UMVA has learned that Arsenal and Manchester City are locked in a heated pursuit of Tino Livramento, but Newcastle United's staggering valuation has thrown a major wrench into the works.
The England international's impressive skills have caught the eye of both clubs, with his lightning-quick speed, athleticism, and technical prowess making him a highly coveted asset. However, Newcastle is playing hardball, refusing to consider selling him for anything less than the current world-record price for a right-back.
This record stands at a whopping €68m, the fee Paris Saint-Germain paid Inter Milan for Achraf Hakimi in 2021. It's easy to see why Livramento is attracting attention, with his ability to thrive in a high-energy system and provide serious competition and depth at right-back making him an attractive target for top clubs.
For Arsenal, Livramento would be a game-changer, adding a new level of depth and competition to their right-back position. For City, he fits the profile of a modern full-back who can defend aggressively, carry the ball forward, and operate in different tactical roles.
Newcastle United is in a strong negotiating position, with Livramento having joined the club from Southampton in 2023 and signing a contract until the summer of 2028. This long-term deal gives the Magpies a strong hand in negotiations, allowing them to dictate the terms of any potential sale.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that both Arsenal and City have reservations around Livramento's injury history, with fitness concerns being discussed by interested clubs after a frustrating campaign in which he started only 14 Premier League matches.
The massive fee demanded by Newcastle makes perfect sense from their point of view, with Livramento being young, homegrown, highly rated, and still having years left on his contract. However, for Arsenal and City, this is where the deal becomes complicated, with paying a world-record fee for a full-back being a huge commitment, especially when there are fitness questions to consider.
Unless Newcastle lower their demands, this feels more like a deal to monitor than one likely to move quickly. The interest is real, but the hefty price tag and fitness concerns are major obstacles that need to be overcome before any transfer can take place.
