Arsenal urged to avoid move for injury-hit Newcastle defender Livramento
Arsenal have been advised to steer clear of a summer move for Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento due to the player's persistent injury problems. According to a report from FootballTransfers, the Gunners are among the clubs interested in the 23-year-old full-back, but any deal would carry significant risk. Newcastle are expected to demand a fee in excess of €50 million for the England international, who is currently sidelined with a groin issue.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe confirmed the severity of Livramento's latest setback, revealing the defender may not play again this season. "Tino went for a scan initially, a bad injury," Howe told reporters. "He is due to have another scan at the weekend to determine the full extent of his time out, we will wait and see whether he plays again this season." This groin problem, sustained against Bournemouth, is the fourth separate injury Livramento has suffered during the current campaign.
The report argues that Arsenal, who are reportedly considering selling Ben White, need a reliable competitor for Jurrien Timber at right-back. Livramento's fitness record this season suggests he may not be that player. The defender has managed a maximum of six consecutive Premier League appearances before being struck by another problem, a stark contrast to his 37 league appearances last term. His current situation also places his place in England's World Cup squad in doubt.
While Livramento is highly regarded, with Manchester City also previously linked, the frequency of his injuries is seen as a major red flag for a potential suitor. The recommendation is for Arsenal to wait and see if the player can complete a full season without major injury concerns before committing a substantial fee. An alternative strategy proposed involves Arsenal retaining Ben White for another year while monitoring Livramento's fitness from afar.
Livramento's potential transfer is part of a broader interest from Arsenal in Newcastle's squad, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali also named as players on the club's radar. The advice against pursuing Livramento underscores the calculated nature of modern transfers, where a player's medical history is scrutinized as closely as their on-field performances. For Newcastle, a sale at the reported price would represent significant profit on a player signed from Southampton, but his market value is now complicated by his unreliable fitness.
