Big Nunes upgrade: Man City considering move for "outstanding" £40m star
da esoccer bet： Just when you thought Manchester City were back, they went and did what?
da brdice： On Saturday, despite having 26 shots and accumulating an xG figure of 2.4, Pep Guardiola’s team were held to an ignominious goalless draw by the Premier League’s bottom club Southampton at St Mary’s.
This means the Citizens are still not guaranteed Champions League qualification, while this could be a confidence-denting result, ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Crystal Palace at Wembley.
What is clear is that the Sky Blues require a major squad overhaul, so are they in the market for one of the Premier League’s hottest properties?
Manchester City seeking to sign a new right-back
According to a report by Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento is one of the options “under consideration” as Man City seek to sign a new right-back, adding that he is part of a “four-man shortlist”.
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Livramento joined Newcastle from Southampton just two years ago for a whopping £40m, viewing this as a long-term investment, considering the Magpies believed he would go on to become England’s first-choice full-back, as noted by Chris Waugh and Conor O’Neill of the Athletic.
Well, fair to say, the 22-year-old has impressed on Tyneside, with Jacob Whitehead of the Athletic labelling him “outstanding” while, speaking on Match of the Day, Newcastle’s all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer described him as “sensational”.
So, he certainly won’t come cheap, but all the indications are that Livramento would be a fantastic signing for Man City, should they be able to get the deal over the line.
Manchester City's right-back issue
In that aforementioned Romano report, he notes that Kyle Walker “will 100% leave” Manchester City this summer, even if AC Milan do not make his current loan move permanent, which is certainly in doubt, given that I Rossoneri have failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Nevertheless, Man City are very much in the market for a new right-back, given that Matheus Nunes has primarily been filling in there throughout the season.
Michael Cox of the Athletic described Nunes as an “uncomfortable… makeshift right-back”, while Graham Ruthven of Forbes agrees, adding that the Portuguese international “doesn’t have the defensive instincts of a natural full-back”.
Guardiola meantime, stated that Nunes “can become a good right-back” but the reason that he’s not been deployed in midfield is because “he’s not clever enough”, adding that he has “physicality”, but lacks “composure”.
That does not suggest Guardiola believes the 26-year-old will become a Man City stalwart long-term, even though he continues to be used regularly in the starting lineup.
So, let’s assess how Livramento and Nunes compare this season.
Nunes vs Livarmento 2024/25 comparison
Statistics
Nunes
Livramento
Appearances
37
43
Minutes
2,500
3,279
Goals
4
0
Assists
9
1
Expected assists
6.3
2.5
Progressive carries
90
74
Progressive passes
107
150
Attempted take-ons
54
50
Take-on success %
50%
44%
Pass completion %
87.2%
85.2%
Shot-creating actions
61
41
Tackles won
38
42
Interceptions
21
25
Clearances
40
103
Blocks
19
35
Duels contested
166
255
% of ground duels won
47%
55%
Touches per 90
62
49
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and Squawka
As the table outlines, Nunes is more of an attacking goal-threat, scoring more goals, providing more assists, attempting more dribbles, completing a higher proportion of his passes and registering a greater number of touches per 90.
Livramento, on the other hand, is a significantly more solid defender, underlined by the fact he boasts better statistics when it comes to tackles, blocks, interceptions, clearances and duels.
Nevertheless, the England international’s in-possession statistics are comparable to Nunes’ across the board, actually accumulating more progressive passes, for example, suggesting he would not be a downgrade in that regard.
Thus, all available evidence suggests Livramento would be an excellent signing for Man City; the biggest challenge will be persuading Newcastle to sell.
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