Manchester City’s summer transfer window strategy has long been the subject of both admiration and scrutiny, and this year is no different. As the window opens with months of potential business ahead, there is an unmistakable sense of methodical deliberation at the Etihad Stadium. While other clubs rush to fill gaps or make splashy announcements purely for effect, City’s recruitment team operates in a calculated, almost surgical fashion. They do not buy to satisfy headlines; they buy to solve problems, deepen quality, and shape the future of the squad to suit Pep Guardiola’s relentless demands.
It is why, even after the early additions of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, City are far from done. Those signings have been described internally as excellent moves. Reijnders offers control and intelligence in midfield, Cherki brings technical flair and creative unpredictability, while Ait-Nouri adds dynamism and depth on the left side of defence. Each player addresses a clear need, expands tactical options, and aligns with the club’s philosophy of recruiting talent with both immediate impact and long-term value.
But for Guardiola and City’s hierarchy, a summer window is never about ticking boxes mechanically. It is about preparing for every eventuality, including injuries, fixture congestion, and even unexpected exits. This year, there is the added variable of the FIFA Club World Cup. City are among the favourites to win that competition, and they know the demands it will place on the squad in terms of travel, intensity, and depth. Such a tournament is both an opportunity for glory and a logistical challenge that can derail a domestic title defence if the squad is stretched too thin. As City’s football leadership pores over these details, one name keeps re-emerging in their plans: Tino Livramento. The Newcastle United defender is not an unfamiliar figure in City’s recruitment discussions. In fact, he has been on their radar for some time, and there is little mystery about why. At 22 years old, Livramento is widely regarded as one of England’s most promising young full-backs, blending technical quality with work ethic and adaptability. For City, the appeal is obvious.
But what truly makes the club so convinced about his suitability is not merely the scouting reports or data. It is the endorsement of people who know him best, none more compelling than Ashley Cole. For City’s decision-makers, when someone of Cole’s stature in English football speaks so glowingly about a young full-back, they listen carefully. Ashley Cole, after all, is not just any ex-player. He is widely viewed as the Premier League’s greatest-ever left-back, a multiple Premier League winner, a Champions League winner, and a man whose understanding of defensive play is second to none.
Cole’s connection with Livramento goes back to their time at Chelsea. Livramento was part of the club’s under-21 and reserve teams when Cole was involved in coaching. From the beginning, Cole recognised qualities in Livramento that set him apart. He described seeing not just raw talent but a genuine passion for the game, a hunger to improve, and a level of dedication that suggested he could go very far. In Cole’s words, Livramento was always serious about maximising his ability, showing an intensity in training that suggested he would not be satisfied with mediocrity. For City’s recruitment team, these insights matter immensely. They value character as much as skill. Guardiola’s system places massive demands on players’ tactical intelligence, discipline, and work rate. Talented but uncoachable players do not last long under him. That Livramento comes with a ringing character reference from Cole is no small thing. It suggests a player willing to buy into City’s high standards and learn quickly.
Cole did not limit his praise to Livramento’s work ethic. He also highlighted the technical qualities that make him so intriguing for a club like City. As a modern full-back, Livramento has the balance of defensive solidity and attacking threat that Guardiola craves. At Newcastle, he has been trusted to play regularly despite his youth—a testament to his ability to cope with Premier League demands. Cole noted that getting that trust from Eddie Howe and his staff was crucial for Livramento’s development. It gave him belief, experience, and the platform to grow.
hat experience is precisely what City want to build on. Despite Newcastle’s clear stance that they have no intention of selling Livramento, City believe they can tempt them eventually. They are used to playing the long game in such negotiations, knowing that if the player wants the move and the fee is right, clubs often relent.
The reported £32 million valuation is significant but not outrageous for a player of Livramento’s potential. For City, spending that amount on a 22-year-old with Premier League experience is in line with their approach of investing in talent that can serve them for years. They do not see this as a risky gamble but as a strategic reinforcement, particularly given the uncertainty around Kyle Walker’s future.
Walker himself is a central figure in this whole discussion. Signed from Tottenham at 27, Walker was more developed and established than Livramento is now. Yet City see a clear parallel. When Walker arrived, he was a highly athletic, attacking full-back who needed refinement in his positional play and tactical discipline. Under Guardiola, he became arguably the best right-back in the world, integral to City’s title-winning machine.
Livramento’s stats show he is not yet at Walker’s peak level. Last season, he played 38 matches, registering a single assist and no goals. In contrast, Walker’s final season at Spurs before his move saw him deliver five assists in 36 games. The numbers suggest Walker was a greater attacking threat at the same stage. But the context matters: Livramento is five years younger than Walker was when he made his big move. City believe that gap in age represents a window for development.
If Livramento can match or even surpass Walker’s level by the time he turns 27, he would be an incredible asset for City. The club knows the importance of succession planning in key positions. Walker has been magnificent but cannot be relied on forever. Signing Livramento would not only provide competition and depth now but ensure continuity at right-back for years.
For Livramento, the appeal of joining City would be obvious. He would be moving to a club that consistently challenges for the biggest trophies, led by one of the greatest managers in football history. He would get to train daily with world-class players, pushing his game to new levels. He would also have the chance to work with Guardiola, whose reputation for improving defenders is unrivalled.
Ashley Cole himself suggested that Livramento’s future is “beautiful” and “bright,” provided he continues to play, gain experience, and keep his levels high. That is precisely what City’s plan would be for him. They would not necessarily throw him in as an automatic starter from day one. Guardiola has shown with many signings that he prefers to ease new players in, giving them time to learn his system and expectations.
But City would see him as a genuine contender for regular minutes. They would also value his versatility. Livramento has shown he can play on either flank if needed, providing valuable cover in multiple roles. Given City’s ambitions to compete on all fronts—Premier League, Champions League, domestic cups, Club World Cup—such flexibility is vital.
The comparison with Walker is instructive not just in terms of stats but in the model City hope to replicate. When they signed Walker, it was seen as the final piece in Guardiola’s defensive puzzle. His pace, experience, and understanding of the league allowed City to play their high line with confidence. Livramento, while younger and less experienced, has the raw tools to fill that role in the next cycle of Guardiola’s team.
Moreover, City’s faith in him is not based purely on one man’s testimony. While Ashley Cole’s praise carries weight, City’s recruitment is famously data-driven and thorough. They will have tracked Livramento’s performances in detail, measuring not just the headline stats but the underlying metrics. They will have studied his defensive duels, interceptions, positioning, recovery runs, passing under pressure, and contribution to build-up play. They will also have factored in his resilience. Livramento suffered a serious ACL injury during his time at Southampton—a setback that could have derailed lesser players. His determination to recover fully and regain form is a sign of mental toughness that City prize. Injury histories are always a consideration in modern recruitment, but Livramento’s successful return to regular Premier League football is reassuring.
The Club World Cup looms as another reason City want to strengthen their squad now. The tournament adds extra matches and travel during a busy period. Squad depth will be tested. City cannot afford to be short in key positions if they want to maintain momentum in all competitions. Signing Livramento would be a proactive move to avoid scrambling for solutions later.
Newcastle’s stance, of course, is the main obstacle. They have no wish to sell a player they see as part of their own future. Livramento is young, English, and represents the kind of quality they want to build around as they aim to cement themselves in the Premier League’s top tier. But football economics and player ambition can shift such stances. If City make the right offer and Livramento expresses a desire to move, Newcastle may eventually negotiate.
For City fans, the idea of landing Livramento is exciting. They have seen how transformative the right full-back can be. Walker became a club legend, crucial to multiple title wins. Joao Cancelo, for all the drama, was also instrumental in City’s evolution with his inverted full-back role. Guardiola uses full-backs in complex, innovative ways, and Livramento would be stepping into a system designed to maximise his strengths while challenging him to improve.
It also says something about City’s recruitment philosophy. They do not just buy the finished product. They invest in potential. They sign players they believe can grow with the club, learning and adapting until they become world-class. Livramento fits that mould perfectly. He has already shown he can handle the Premier League. He has the athleticism, technical quality, and attitude to take the next step.
For Ashley Cole to single him out as someone with a “beautiful future” is more than empty praise. Cole has worked with countless young players but chose to highlight Livramento’s passion, commitment, and development. He has seen up close what City are now banking on: a defender who is not just good now but who could be elite with the right guidance and environment. In many ways, Livramento’s situation mirrors that of many young players City have signed in recent years. Some go straight into the first team. Others go out on loan, return stronger, and compete for places. City’s approach is patient but decisive. They do not panic-buy, nor do they rush development. They create a pathway tailored to the player’s needs and the team’s requirements.
For Livramento, that pathway could mean learning from Walker while he is still at the club, competing for minutes in domestic cups, and gradually increasing his role. It would be the kind of development plan that has worked so well for others. Ultimately, City’s interest in Livramento is not just about filling a squad spot. It is about securing the future of a position crucial to their style of play. It is about maintaining the highest standards while evolving to meet new challenges. And it is about trusting their process—a process that has delivered title after title and built one of the most admired squads in world football.
For Livramento, the next few months could be career-defining. Newcastle will want to keep him, but the allure of joining Guardiola, competing for the biggest trophies, and realising his full potential at one of the world’s best-run clubs may prove irresistible. As City weigh their next moves in the transfer market, the message from Ashley Cole continues to echo: this is not just a good player. This is a top player in the making. And for a club obsessed with excellence, that is exactly the kind of signing worth pursuing.
