Newcastle United are preparing to launch an improved bid to sign Southampton defender Tino Livramento, according to the Daily Mail.
The Magpies have been in talks to sign Livramento since last month, with manager Eddie Howe a huge fan of the young full-back.
Livramento is only just recovering from a lengthy injury lay-off. The youngster spent last season confined to the treatment room after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Once touted as an exciting talent after coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea, it remains to be seen if Livramento will recover his previous form.
Despite currently being an unknown quantity, Newcastle are extremely keen to secure his services this summer.
The Magpies still have Financial Fair Play concerns, but they are keen to bolster their defensive ranks by adding a full-back and a centre-back.
Livramento has been identified to fill the full-back role and provide competition for captain Kieran Trippier on the right side of the defence.
However, Newcastle could be forced to shop elsewhere if they cannot find common ground with Southampton over a transfer fee.
Following their relegation from the Premier League, Southampton are aware several of their exciting talents could exit St Mary’s this summer.
However, the Saints are particularly reluctant to part ways with Livramento. They are reportedly holding out for a £40 million fee despite shelling out around £6m to sign him from Chelsea in 2021.
Newcastle are unwilling to match their demands, especially for a player who has accumulated just 26 minutes of top-flight football in over a year.
The Magpies are prepared to offer around £30m to sign Livramento and could look elsewhere if Southampton consider their bid insufficient.
Newcastle have welcomed Harvey Barnes into the fold following a £38m move from Leicester City, while Allan Saint-Maximin is on the cusp of completing a £25m move to Al-Ahli.
