Newcastle United have received a boost in their pursuit of Southampton full-back Tino Livramento, who is not keen on a move to Chelsea, according to reports.
Livramento was born in London and joined his boyhood club Chelsea at under-9 level but failed to make a first-team appearance for the Blues before securing a £5million move to Southampton in 2021.
As you are probably aware, with a name like Valentino Francisco Livramento, he is not 100 per cent English. Yes, you guessed it, he actually has a Scottish mother.
Born and raised in England to a Scottish mum and Portuguese father, the 20-year-old has a choice between all three nations when it comes to deciding which senior international team to represent.
He has played at England youth level from u15 through to u21, making 30 appearances across all age groups.
Livramento’s debut season at Southampton was superb, but his campaign was cut short due to an ACL injury, which ruled him out until his side’s penultimate Premier League fixture in 2022/23.
Unfortunately for him and the Saints, the club’s relegation was already confirmed by the time Livramento returned, and after a season in which he only played 26 minutes, the youngster was not called up for England u21’s European Championship campaign this summer.
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Despite his lack of football over the last year, Livramento is being linked with both Chelsea and Newcastle United.
The Evening Standard recently reported that Chelsea want to re-sign their former youngster with Cesar Azpilicueta expected to join Atletico Madrid.
That report stated that the player was reluctant to return to Stamford Bridge over fears about his playing time, which means he has also ruled out a move to Newcastle.
However, the Daily Mail claim Livramento ‘prefers to join’ the Magpies, with a move to the Blues off the table.
It is noted that his former club inserted a £40m buy-back clause when they sold him to Southampton two years ago, so could trigger that if they wish to do so.
That does seem unlikely, though, with Southampton surely willing to accept a lower fee following their relegation to the Championship.
Newcastle have held talks with the Saints and have already seen ‘a number of bids’ turned down.
It is said that Chelsea’s interest has provided ‘a further obstacle’ in the Geordies’ pursuit of Livramento, though the report later says that a return to his former club, where he will likely be shipped out on loan, ‘holds little appeal’.
That means a move to St James’ Park, where he will be able to play Champions League football in 2023/24, ‘would be favoured’ by the England u21 full-back.
Newcastle have apparently bid as high as £20m, but to no avail. Livramento remains ‘relaxed’ over his future after penning a four-year contract in 2021.
The young defender is not actively ‘pushing’ to leave the Championship side and has ‘no plans’ to do so.
Livramento is naturally a right-back, but he is able to play on the left side of a back four, which makes him a very appealing player, especially for Newcastle, who are in the market for a new left-back.