Pep Guardiola. (Getty)
Manchester City are in a battle to catch Arsenal in the Premier League title race, and with 12 games remaining, they are running out of time.
The treble-winners are currently four points behind the Gunners as they look to hunt down their competitors, with the pair set to meet at the Etihad in April – a clash that could prove pivotal in confirming the champions.
Pep Guardiola brought in two new additions during the January transfer window to bolster his squad going into the business end of the campaign, with Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi joining the project on the blue side of Manchester.
Success has not been in short measure for the Cityzens, and it would be foolish to write them off at this stage, given their reputation for embarking on long unbeaten runs and taking title races down to the final day.
However, Guardiola’s side have not been as prolific or consistent by their own lofty standards over the past 18 months, and they have parted ways with several of their serial winners during that period.
Building the next chapter of success is imperative for City if they are to continue dominating moving forward, and it would therefore be expected that they reinvest again in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The club has retained a long-term interest in Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento and even made contact with the Geordies last summer to enquire about the possibility of signing him.
Newcastle were quick to shut down any attempt to prise away their player, making it clear that he was not for sale at any price, though a price tag of £60m has been widely reported.
According to talkSPORT, Man City are now ready to push again in an attempt to sign Livramento this summer.
The popular broadcaster claims in its ‘transfer notebook’ that City have continued to monitor the England international’s progress on Tyneside and remain keen to secure his services.
It is also revealed that Newcastle are eager to tie Livramento down to a long-term contract, although talkSPORT sources suggest he is in no rush to decide his future, whether that lies in the North East or elsewhere.
Should Man City sign Tino Livramento?
There is no doubt that the right-back role has suffered since the departure of Kyle Walker, making it an understandable priority area to address in the summer.
Midfielder Matheus Nunes has occupied the position for much of the season, and while he has performed consistently, investing in Walker’s long-term successor will be crucial.
Livramento – once hailed as “outstanding” by Scotland assistant John Carver – is a versatile full-back with the ability and experience to operate on either side of the defence, making him an ideal option to add depth to City’s back line.
Blessed with elite pace, acceleration and an ability to make high-intensity runs, the 23-year-old profiles as a natural successor to Walker, who was renowned for his blistering speed and suitability to City’s high-tempo tactics.
That said, any move for the Magpies talent is likely to depend on how Newcastle fare over the remainder of the campaign.
They are currently competing strongly for Champions League qualification and are building a project with significant potential.
Newcastle sit 10th in the Premier League, and failure to secure European football could potentially aid City in their pursuit of Livramento.
If fit, Livramento is expected to be selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup this summer, meaning any deal may be delayed until his return to Tyneside.
With that in mind, a move for Livramento is certainly one to watch for City supporters, though several variables are likely to influence whether a deal can be completed this summer.
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