Newcastle United appear set for another long and complicated story, this time involving Tino Livramento and the growing belief that he may delay committing to a new deal. After the difficult back-and-forth situation with Alexander Isak this past summer and the tense negotiations with Liverpool, it is clear that the club would rather avoid any more exhausting transfer sagas with major Premier League rivals.
That experience seems to have pushed the club’s hierarchy to work harder than ever behind the scenes to protect their best players and secure the future of the team.
Sporting director Ross Wilson has already been focusing on key names such as Tino Livramento and Sven Botman, two players viewed as vital pieces of Newcastle’s long-term project. Both have shown huge potential, and their importance to Eddie Howe’s vision cannot be overstated.
However, despite all the internal efforts and positive intentions, Newcastle could soon find themselves in another difficult battle, because Manchester City have now stepped into the picture, creating new uncertainty around Livramento’s future.
According to Craig Hope of The Mail, Livramento is likely to postpone any final decision on signing a new contract until later in the season. This delay comes even though early talks with Wilson were described as positive, and despite Livramento’s current contract running all the way to 2028.
The hesitation appears linked to Manchester City’s growing interest, with the Premier League champions monitoring him closely for some time.
Manchester City are always capable of making big moves without hesitation. Their track record shows they aren’t afraid to spend heavily when they identify a player they want, and that alone is enough to cause concern for Newcastle.
The suggestion that Livramento is leaving his options open, especially now that Pep Guardiola’s side are watching, is not a situation the club would have hoped for. A quick look at City’s recent transfer activity tells you everything: last January they signed Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov for a combined total of more than £170 million. That level of spending power always changes the dynamics of any negotiation.
At right-back, Guardiola currently relies on Khusanov and Matheus Nunes, but neither is a long-term successor to Kyle Walker. Livramento’s ability, athleticism, and potential make him a perfect fit for City’s long-term planning. It’s no surprise they consider him a top target.
For Newcastle, this creates a difficult situation because while Livramento seems settled, happy under Eddie Howe, and not pushing for a move, maintaining Champions League football could be crucial if the club want to keep players of his calibre.
Livramento has been exceptional for Newcastle since his arrival, and the same can be said about Lewis Hall on the opposite flank. The team looks vastly more dynamic and confident when both young full-backs are on the pitch.
Their quality adds a different dimension that even experienced players like Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth, who have been reliable over the years, cannot completely replicate. The problem is depth.
Newcastle already need a cover option for the left side, and with Trippier and Krafth both out of contract next summer, there is a real possibility that the club may soon be short in both full-back positions. That is why the thought of losing Tino now makes the situation even more unsettling.
Looking ahead to 2026, full-back recruitment will likely be one of Newcastle’s biggest tasks. Matt Targett is also expected to leave on a free when he returns from his loan spell at Middlesbrough, meaning there could be multiple departures that force significant rebuilding.
Keeping Livramento would ease some of that pressure, but football is often unpredictable, especially when Manchester City are involved.
The tough question is what Newcastle should do if City submit a massive offer that simply cannot be ignored. City paid close to £80 million for Josko Gvardiol not long ago, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Newcastle to demand a fee even higher than that for Livramento.
He has Premier League experience, exceptional potential, and arguably an even higher ceiling. A sale of that size would also more than double the £32 million Newcastle paid Southampton for him and provide significant relief for the club’s PSR situation, while also allowing fresh investment across other positions.
It leaves Eddie Howe and the recruitment team with a difficult dilemma ahead of the summer. Newcastle want to build, not lose key players, but the pull of Manchester City and the financial power they hold could force the club into decisions they would rather avoid.
For now, the focus will be on convincing Livramento that his future is best served on Tyneside, but the coming months may bring another transfer battle that tests the club’s resolve all over again.
