Romano – Newcastle Close to Confirming Signing of ‘Excellent’ Player for £35 Million – Chelsea Set to Make a Profit

Fabrizio Romano has given his “here we go” for Newcastle United to sign Tino Livramento from Southampton. The Englishman had been a target of Eddie Howe, and an agreement has been reached between all parties.

Newcastle Look Set to Complete Tino Livramento Deal

Tino Livramento Close to Newcastle Switch

Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the fee was over £35 million, including add-ons. He added that Southampton “had what they wanted”, suggesting that the fee was higher than Newcastle had desired. Earlier this summer, Southampton had set an asking price of £40 million, it is clear that they have stuck to this.

Chosen by Eddie Howe?

Romano confirmed that the deal is “long term” and that the medical is booked. Interestingly, the Italian phrased the potential signing as “for Eddie Howe”. It appears that Howe has requested this transfer, which makes sense as Livramento described as “excellent,” is a young, homegrown talent with a great engine – suiting Howe’s hard-working system.

However, being a Howe signing isn’t necessarily a positive. At Bournemouth, the young manager made a few poor transfers: spending £20 million on Dominic Solanke (2019), spending £15 million on Jordan Ibe (2016) and even spending £13 million on Benik Afobe (2016). Despite this, Newcastle’s recruitment has been successful since he joined the club.

Chelsea Make Profit?

Livramento started his career in the Chelsea academy – before signing for Southampton in 2021 at 18 years old. The London club had a buy-back clause of under £40 million but decided against activating it this summer. However, thanks to a smart sell-on clause, Chelsea will make close to £15 million profit after the transfer is official. This clause entitled Chelsea to over 40% of the transfer fee (over £4 million), which perhaps explains Southampton’s stubbornness when it came to negotiations.

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Are Newcastle Taking a Big Risk?

At £35 million, the deal appears to be quite expensive. The risk level booms when Livramento’s game time last season is considered. The right-back was out with an ACL injury for the entire season, playing in just two matches for a combined total of 26 minutes at the end of the season. He has been involved in pre-season, featuring against Bournemouth in a friendly, but this lack of game time must cause some alarm bells.

£35 million is also a lot of money for a club that already has Kieran Trippier in that position. David Ornstein suggested that the signing is to “compete with Trippier” but it is highly unlikely that Livramento could displace the England international. Newcastle’s starting left-back last season was Dan Burn, an unconventional left-back who is actually a centre-back, and so the signing of Livramento could be part of a plan to either play him or Trippier at left-back this season. The risk is relatively high, with limited game time to evaluate the player, but the full-back did impress heavily in his 2021/22 breakout season.

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