Manchester City identify Premier League defender as number one full-back role transfer target | OneFootball

The number one transfer target for Manchester City in the right-sided full-back role has now been revealed by market insider, Fabrizio Romano.

It is the latest insight into what business is currently being worked on within the Etihad Stadium as the likes of incoming sporting director Hugo Viana prepare Pep Guardiola’s side for the next phase of their journey.

Off the back of a hugely underwhelming season across competitions, Manchester City bosses will be keen to equip their head coach with the very best squad roster available in order to challenge for the biggest honours as soon as possible.

While the predominant position to assess is the creative midfield role, as a direct result of Kevin De Bruyne’s imminent departure on a free transfer, other areas of midfield and throughout defence are expected to take on investment.

One such position is the right-sided full-back role, largely as a direct result of Kyle Walker firmly being relieved of duties at the Etihad Stadium following a six-month loan spell at AC Milan that is highly unlikely to see him reintegrated from the start of next season.

As such, according to the information of transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento is now Manchester City’s number one target for the right-back position this summer.

However, it is stressed that any such deal for the England international with the Carabao Cup holders will ‘not be easy’.

Interest in the 22-year-old Croydon-born defender comes despite widespread reports linking Manchester City with a whole host of other names, including Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso and Flamengo’s Wesley.

The former has been tied with Manchester City interest since the January transfer window, when officials within the Etihad Stadium denied the possibility of a swoop at the time, but did not reject the notion entirely that the Italian was indeed a future target.

As for the latter, it remains to be seen just how the Brazilian is viewed within Manchester City, and whether he is a talent that is being eyed for an immediate first-team role, or whether he is one to be loaned out for development elsewhere in European competition.