According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs in CaughtOffSide, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s Pep Guardiola want to sign Southampton right-back Tino Livramento, a player Chelsea sold for £5 million.
Jacobs has said that both Arsenal and Manchester City are keen on signing Livramento from Premier League rivals Southampton in the upcoming transfer windows.
Chelsea sold the right-back to Southampton in the summer of 2021 for £5 million (The Guardian).
Although Chelsea have a buy-back option, the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners are not going to take it up, according to Jacobs.
Arsenal and Manchester City eye Southampton’s Tino Livramento
Jacobs said: “Tino Livramento is another intriguing option, who has had horrific luck with injuries.
“The 20-year-old was magnificent last season until he picked up a serious ACL injury against Brighton last April and recently suffered another set-back this January when returning with the Saints’ B team.
“Chelsea have a buy-back option active in 2023, but it’s not thought they’ll activate it, especially now Gusto has signed from Lyon. And all suitors will obviously have doubts given his long spell out on the sidelines.
“But Livramento will be monitored when fit with a view to a possible move over the next 2-3 windows by both Arsenal and Manchester City. And if he hadn’t suffered his injury he may already be at one of those two clubs already.”
Could a summer transfer happen?
In our view, if Tino Livramento is fit in the summer of 2023, then a transfer to Arsenal or Manchester City could well happen.
Southampton are in dire form at the moment, and there is a very good chance that the Saints will get relegated from the Premier League to the Championship at the end of the season.
If the Saints do go down, then it is hard to see them hold onto players such as Livramento.
The 20-year-old himself could be tempted to join Arsenal or City.
Even if Southampton stay up, a big offer from the Gunners or the Citizens for Livramento, who can operate as full-back or a wing-back on either flank, could be too good for the Saints to turn down.
We know that the youngster has been struggling with injury problems for a while now.
However, if the right-back becomes fit by the end of the season, then Arsenal and/or Manchester City could well decide to move their plan forward and sign him in the summer of 2023 instead of waiting for next year.
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