Newcastle United are in advanced talks with relegated Southampton over a potential £15 million deal for Tino Livramento.
Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager, wants to raid the Championship club for the 20-year-old defender and negotiations are ongoing, though they remain apart at this stage on valuation.
Southampton are set to lose a number of players following relegation from the Premier League and Newcastle have moved swiftly to try and sign the England under-21 international.
Livramento missed over a year of first-team action after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April 2022 before making his return against Brighton in May this year.
A former Chelsea academy player, Livramento’s reputation has remained high and Howe believes he has the versatility to become a key addition at Newcastle, who have qualified for the Champions League.
Newcastle are keeping a close eye on players at other relegated clubs in the hope they could land another bargain. Howe also admires Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, who is certain to leave St. Mary’s this summer, but it is Livramento who the club are currently actively pursuing.
Southampton are understood to value the defender at around £30 million but Newcastle want to agree a price around half the amount. It is understood that one proposal has included cash plus Ryan Fraser, the Newcastle winger who is free to leave this summer.
Other exits are expected from Southampton, with defenders Kyle Walker-Peters and Armel Bella-Kotchap plus Belgium international Romeo Lavia facing uncertain futures under newly appointe head coach Russell Martin.
Howe, meanwhile, is plotting a number of new signings and is close to making a major statement with the capture of AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali.
However, a major squad overhaul is unlikely as Newcastle are determined to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Although fans have been braced for another summer of extravagant spending, the recent charges levied against Everton and Manchester City for breaking FFP rules – and the prospect of severe punishment if found guilty – have led to a number of top-flight clubs altering their recruitment plans and budgets are likely to be smaller as a result.
