Man City preparing a record-breaking £70m bid for ex-Chelsea and England star
Man City are reportedly plotting a £70m move to sign a Premier League full-back in the summer.
Man City are currently embroiled in the Premier League title fight, as they are five points behind rivals Arsenal after Pep Guardiola’s side managed to beat Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road to put the pressure on the Gunners.
The Cityzens hope that they can win their seventh Premier League title under Guardiola, which might persuade the boss to stay at the Etihad beyond this season, and potentially beyond his contract, which ends at the end of next year.
If Guardiola does stay, City will likely make a concerted effort to back him in the transfer market as always, and that means they could finally land one of their long-term targets.
Man City plotting £70m move for Livramento
Tino Livramento has been linked with Man City for several years now. The former Chelsea academy graduate has become a regular starter for Eddie Howe at Newcastle and has since attracted a lot of attention from City to be their long-term replacement for Kyle Walker.
However, City haven’t yet made a bid for Livramento, but that could change in the summer, as TeamTalk reports that they are willing to pay as much as £70m for Livramento, which would be a world record transfer fee for a full-back.
Newcastle are reportedly trying to tie Livramento down to a new deal, too, as his current contract expires in 2028. However, if Man City and Guardiola come calling, especially if Newcastle don’t have Champions League football next season, that might be too much to tempt the 23-year-old to move to the Etihad instead.
If City do sign him, it would mean they finally have a natural right-back, something they haven’t had since Walker left, as Guardiola has been forced to play midfielders Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis at the position instead.
Livramento has made 19 appearances for the Magpies this season, providing one assist, but playing a major role in Howe’s defence.
Man City also eyeing bargain right-back
Livramento isn’t the only right-back that Man City are targeting, as they are also reportedly keen on signing Sporting CP full-back Ivan Fresneda.
Man City are interested in the 21-year-old and have been scouting him over the past few months. Arsenal are reportedly the front-runners to sign the Spanish defender, but seeing as the Gunners already have Jurrien Timber and Ben White, Man City might be able to guarantee him more regular game time in the short-term.
He has a market value of just £10m, but based on the fact that there is interest in him from across Europe, Sporting could demand much more for him, but even so, that could make him a real bargain.
Fresneda has made 31 appearances for Sporting so far this season, scoring one goal and providing three assists. He is an attack-minded full-back, much like Livramento, so could be a really good alternative.