Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has responded to speculation linking right-back Valentino Livramento with a move to Manchester City.
Recent reports claims that the reigning Premier League champions have added the 22-year-old to their list of full-back targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
It has been well-documented that Man City are in need of a squad rebuild, which began in January with four new players signed for around £180m.
Pep Guardiola's side are expected to prioritise the addition of at least one new full-back and a midfielder in the summer, with Livramento said to have emerged as a genuine option before the new season and someone who could replace Kyle Walker, who is currently on loan at AC Milan.
Since joining Newcastle from Southampton for £30.8m in the summer of 2023, Livramento has made a total of 67 first-team appearances and he initially arrived at St James' Park to provide backup for Kieran Trippier.
However, the one-cap England international has now become Howe's first-choice right-back this season, starting 21 Premier League games and four more across the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
© Imago
Howe determined to keep hold of Man City-linked Livramento
Howe was asked about rumours linking Livramento with a move away from Newcastle at a press conference ahead of the Magpies' FA Cup fifth-round tie with Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Howe said: "I think it goes without saying (that we want to keep Livramento). It is frustrating for us that we are constantly talking about players and rumours of them leaving.
"We want to go the other way, we want to go the other way and strengthen the group.
"We want to make our team and squad stronger for the future rather than lose our best players."
Newcastle seem to have addressed their concerns with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, so they will not be under immense pressure to part ways with Livramento, who is under contract until June 2028.
Livramento is not the only full-back on Man City's radar, as the Citizens have also been credited with an interest in Juventus' Andrea Cambiaso, Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi and AC Milan's Theo Hernandez.
Oliver Thomas
