Manchester City’s right-back conundrum continues to dominate the headlines as the club’s determined search for a long-term successor to Kyle Walker takes another twist. Over the summer of 2025, a potential swap deal involving City’s versatile youngster Rico Lewis and Newcastle United’s rising star Tino Livramento was tentatively discussed, according to multiple sources. While the deal never materialized, the episode has shed fresh light on City’s transfer strategy, Newcastle’s efforts to secure their prized asset, and the evolving roles of both players within their respective teams.
For Pep Guardiola and his recruitment team, the right-back position has been a persistent headache ever since Joao Cancelo’s departure and Walker’s subsequent move to Burnley, following a loan spell at AC Milan. City’s approach to filling the void has been pragmatic, with Guardiola experimenting by redeploying midfielders like Matheus Nunes as makeshift defenders and promoting academy graduate Rico Lewis to the senior squad with increasing regularity. Despite Lewis’s emergence, there have been lingering doubts among supporters and pundits alike about whether the 20-year-old can consistently deliver at the highest level as a first-choice right-back.
These uncertainties led City to look outward, with a shortlist that reportedly included Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries and Premier League talents such as Livramento. The club’s interest in Livramento, a 22-year-old who has flourished at Newcastle since his move from Southampton, was no secret. In fact, during the summer transfer window, City broached the idea of a player swap, offering Lewis as part of a package to bring Livramento to the Etihad. According to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, "Lewis’ name was mentioned when City were attempting to sign the Newcastle defender, but it didn’t lead to anything." Newcastle, however, stood firm, unwilling to part with their £80 million-rated full-back, who has been described as "sensational" by Magpie Media and praised by Theo Walcott for possessing an "aura" even in his Southampton days.
Amid this transfer intrigue, Lewis’s own future was also up in the air. The 20-year-old City Football Academy product had attracted significant interest from a host of Premier League clubs—Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham, and Everton—as well as from Bayern Munich, where City legend Vincent Kompany now manages. Honest and direct talks were held at the Etihad, with Guardiola personally involved in discussions about Lewis’s role and prospects. Ultimately, Lewis committed his long-term future to Manchester City, signing a new five-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2030.
Reflecting on his decision, Lewis told City’s website, "I have spent so much of my life at this club. City means everything to me, so to be able to stay longer makes me incredibly happy. I am still improving and developing as a player, and I know that the opportunity to carry on working with Pep [Guardiola], his coaching team, and our amazing squad will only help me to keep getting better." He added, "I will give everything to try and help us look to achieve more success both this season and beyond."
Lewis’s commitment appears to have been quickly rewarded. He has started two of City’s opening three Premier League games in the 2025-26 season, coming off the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion and providing an assist in the club’s only win so far, against Wolves. His 2024-25 campaign was equally impressive for a player of his age and experience: 44 appearances across all competitions, 2 goals, 5 assists, and 3,160 minutes played. It’s clear that Guardiola’s faith in Lewis is genuine, but the club’s continued links to specialist full-backs—Livramento chief among them—suggest the search for Walker’s true successor is far from over.
Meanwhile, up at St James’ Park, Newcastle United are doing everything in their power to secure Livramento’s long-term future. With the summer window closed and City’s immediate interest on hold, the Magpies see this as the perfect opportunity to tie down the 22-year-old with a lucrative new contract. As journalist Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider, "Newcastle will be doing everything they possibly can to try and secure his long-term future, and ensure that he stays at Newcastle for the foreseeable." With an £80 million valuation and the ability to play both right-back and left-back, Livramento has matured into a consistent and reliable presence under Eddie Howe, pushing for a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Howe, for his part, sees the defender as a cornerstone of Newcastle’s future, especially as the club looks to build on recent successes and challenge for European places.
Livramento’s rise has not gone unnoticed. His performances have drawn praise from across the footballing world, and his adaptability has made him indispensable for Newcastle. As the club prepares for their Premier League clash with Wolves, manager Eddie Howe is keen to keep his squad focused, confirming in his pre-match press conference that new signing Yoane Wissa will miss the game due to injury. Howe also took the opportunity to reflect on his relationship with former player Alexander Isak, whose departure marked a turning point in the squad’s dynamics. "Alex and I always enjoyed a great relationship. I loved working with him and I hope he loved working with us. We helped him become the player who departed us today and he helped us achieve some important milestones. The moment he went on strike our relationship did change and that was a turning point in our relationship. Communication became difficult from that point onwards," Howe remarked.
As things stand, City’s pursuit of Livramento is on pause, but not necessarily over. With Lewis now secured on a long-term contract and showing signs of development, Guardiola may be inclined to give the youngster an extended run in the side. However, should Lewis falter or if Guardiola decides a more established option is necessary, the club could well revisit Livramento as a target in the upcoming January transfer window. The right-back saga at the Etihad is far from resolved, and the coming months will be crucial in determining whether City’s faith in youth will be rewarded or if another high-profile transfer is on the cards.
For Newcastle, the priority is clear: lock down Livramento and fend off any renewed interest from the Premier League champions. For Manchester City, the decision is just as pressing: trust in Lewis’s continued growth or return to the transfer market for a proven solution. Either way, the right-back question promises to be one of the defining storylines of the 2025-26 campaign.
