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Marco Silva could reportedly be sacked by Fulham as the club are considering a change due to their poor start to the season and slow contract negotiations. A dismal 2-0 defeat at Everton last weekend has deepened the gloom at Craven Cottage. Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane condemned Fulham to another frustrating loss with the manager looking bereft of answers.

From dream to disarray at Fulham

According to , Fulham’s hierarchy are seriously considering showing the door to Silva amid growing fears of a relegation fight and a contract standoff that shows no sign of resolution. Eleven games into the Premier League season, and Fulham’s top scorer is not one of their players but 'own goals'. Harry Wilson and Ryan Sessegnon have each chipped in with two goals but they have scored three with help from the opposition. Their away form is also grim having collected just one point on the road this season, when a late equaliser from Rodrigo Muniz against Brighton helped them eke out a draw. All three of their wins have come at Craven Cottage, and even those have relied on fortunate own goals.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportContract chaos with Silva

Behind the scenes, tensions have been simmering for months. Silva, who has a £15 million ($20m) release clause, has so far refused to sign a new contract, leaving Fulham in a precarious position. The Portuguese coach’s current deal expires next summer, meaning he could walk away as a free agent. According to , Fulham’s board, led by vice-chairman Tony Khan, have been desperate to tie Silva down to fresh terms since July. But negotiations have stalled, with the manager reportedly frustrated by the club’s lack of ambition in the transfer market. Fulham’s only major signing last summer was Kevin, a Brazilian winger from Shakhtar Donetsk, who was brought onboard for around £34.6m ($45.5m). For a side trying to build on mid-table stability, it wasn’t simply enough.

Speaking in August, Silva didn’t hide his disappointment. "It’s not an ideal scenario," he admitted. "Did I expect more? Of course. But the market is the market."

A familiar fall from grace

This is uncomfortably familiar territory for Silva. His Premier League journey, from Hull to Watford to Everton, has followed a recurring pattern. There is always a bright start followed by dips in form and eventual dismissal. At Everton in 2019, he was shown the door with the club sitting 18th and history may be repeating itself in west London. Yet to his credit, Silva’s Fulham reign began in glorious fashion. After being appointed in July 2021, he guided the club to the Championship title. During the course of that campaign, they scored an astonishing 106 goals. Fulham’s return to the Premier League was smooth and they comfortably stayed up, even flirting with European qualification. But now, the magic appears to have faded. The intensity and the pressing that once defined them have given way to fractured and disjointed play. 

What makes the situation even more awkward is that Fulham owner Shahid Khan recently went on record to declare Silva a vital part of the club’s long-term vision.

"He’s been great," he told . "I really like him, not only as a person, (but) as a football manager, head coach. Definitely, I think he’s in our long-term plans."

Silva admitted was frustrated following another poor performance at the weekend: "It was a disappointing result for us, but more than the result, it was a very disappointing performance. We got what we deserved from the game, definitely. We played 20 minutes in all the game, I think. We lost the game through the physicality, we could not handle at all the physicality of Everton side."

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Getty Images SportCritical period looms for Silva and Fulham

Fulham’s upcoming fixtures could determine Silva’s fate. After the international break, they host Sunderland, one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season, who are now fourth in the Premier League standings. Then comes a brutal double-header against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Kundai Matigimu picked up the ball in his follow through and hurled it at batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius, “hitting him at close range on the wrist”

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jul-2025

Kundai Matigimu, the Zimbabwe quick bowler, has been fined 15% of his match fee and handed a demerit point for “inappropriate and dangerous” conduct during the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Bulawayo.The incident in question took place on the first day of the Test match, in the 72nd over of South Africa’s first innings. Matigimu fielded the ball in his follow through and hurled it at the batter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, “hitting him at close range on the wrist”, as an ICC statement put it.It was a breach of Article 2.0 of the ICC’s code of conduct for international cricket, which penalises throwing “a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner”. Matigimu admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction from match referee Ranjan Madugalle, ruling out the need for a formal hearing.This, being Matigimu’s international debut, was his first demerit point.Zimbabwe have been on the back foot for the most part in the game. By the end of the first day, South Africa had reached 465 for 4 on the back of captain Wiaan Mulder’s 264 not out, which he subsequently took to 367 not out before declaring the innings on 626 for 5. They then bowled Zimbabwe out for 170 in their first innings, setting up a possible innings win.Matigimu was one of Zimbabwe’s more successful bowlers, returning 2 for 124 from 21.3 overs, with Pretorius and Dewald Brevis his victims.

As those at Tottenham Hotspur are aware more than most, not every prospect bursts onto the scene like a Lamine Yamal or a Jude Bellingham – sometimes a little patience or perseverance is required.

The golden example for those of a Lilywhites persuasion is that man Harry Kane, the now England skipper and record scorer having been forced to travail the EFL, before eventually securing his place in the club’s first-team plans.

Something of a late bloomer in modern terms – having made his first Premier League start in April 2014, three months shy of his 21st birthday – the free-scoring sensation has gone on to have a career that few could have envisaged amid his early struggles at the likes of Leicester City and Norwich City.

From his days at Leyton Orient, Kane is now a record-breaker for both club and country, recently reaching 100 Bayern Munich goals from just 104 games – the fastest player this century to achieve that feat in Europe’s top five leagues.

Schooled by Spurs, but arguably made and nurtured during his string of temporary moves away from the club, Kane is a glowing success story of the loan system.

Excitingly for Thomas Frank and co, the north Londoners could look to profit from their loan set-up again in the near future.

How Spurs’ loan stars are getting on this season

Among the hottest prospects to have departed N17 this summer was Croatian teenager, Luka Vuskovic, with the towering centre-back earning rave reviews already at Bundesliga side, Hamburg.

Still just 18, the 6 foot 4 defender is a mountain of a man, remarkably winning 73% of his total duels in the league so far this term, as well as a staggering 85% of his aerial duels.

For context, Micky van de Ven has averaged 53% and 47% for Spurs, respectively, in 2025/26, as per Sofascore.

The former Hajduk Split star – who scored seven league goals on loan at Belgian side Westerlo last term – is the main attraction as far as Spurs’ loanees go, although academy graduate Alfie Devine is currently flourishing for Preston North End, with three goals and assists from eight Championship outings.

Mikey Moore looks to have been swept up in the chaos of Russell Martin and Rangers, having failed to score in ten games at Ibrox, although fellow teenager winger Min-hyeok Yang has already netted twice in just four league games for Portsmouth in the second tier.

The Championship has also proven a fruitful destination for the next Kane, Will Lankshear, with the promising striker scoring three goals in nine league appearances for Oxford United, albeit while failing to convert in any of his last four.

High hopes remain for Jamie Donley, who registered 19 goals and assists for Orient last term, although his time at Stoke City is yet to truly take off, having been restricted to just three substitute appearances for the promotion-chasing side in the league.

Donley isn’t quite hitting the heights of last term, although one man who certainly is 20-year-old sensation, George Abbott.

The Spurs starlet who’s been “compared to Grealish”

Many may view those operating outside of the Championship as having little chance of making the leap to Premier League level, although that’s not necessarily the case.

Take Dele Alli example, with the then-youngster rising from EFL star at MK Dons to top-flight sensation at White Hart Lane in double-quick time, having ended his first campaign in the capital – 2015/16 – with 18 goals and assists to his name in the league, as per Transfermarkt.

Kane, too, stepped down into League One with Orient, before later exploding back at Spurs, with that the level where homegrown starlet, Abbott, is currently flourishing for Wycombe Wanderers.

Abbott – 24/25 League Two

Stat (*per game)

Record

Games (starts)

40 (37)

Goals

5

Assists

6

Pass accuracy*

86%

Key passes*

1.1

Big chances created

6

Balls recovered*

4.9

Total duels won*

50%

Successful dribbles*

0.6

Stats via Sofascore

The versatile midfielder – who has operated all across the park in the Tottenham youth ranks – joined the Chairboys this summer after starring at Notts County in the fourth tier last term, registering 13 goals and assists in all competitions for the League Two side.

That included what proved to be the division’s Goal of the Season away at Accrington Stanley, with the Englishman thumping home in emphatic style after meeting an inswinging corner flush on the volley.

At a club with a rich history for welcoming in potential stars of the future, including now Celtic skipper Callum McGregor, the Magpies allowed Abbott to sparkle, with ITV’s Dan Salisbury-Jones noting that the youngster had even been “compared to Jack Grealish”.

The new Everton talisman – another former loan hero at the Nottinghamshire club – previously came agonisingly close to joining Spurs back in 2018, although could the Lilywhites now have his heir apparent in the shape of Abbott?

His Grealish-like ability to glide forward with the ball at his feet has also led to comparisons to ex-Wycombe loanee, Eberechi Eze, with Abbott having scored his first goal for the Buckinghamshire side in true Eze fashion against Northampton.

That was followed by an assist as Michael Duff’s side saw off Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup third round, before he also starred off the bench away at AFC Wimbledon, as the visitors narrowly slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

Introduced at half-time, Abbott was a central figure as Wycombe, albeit unsuccessfully, fought their way back into the game, notably winning 100% of his ground duels, while providing one key pass from his 36 touches, as per Sofascore.

Fleet of foot but with the steel to match, the dynamic midfielder – who also played the full 90 in Saturday’s narrow win over Wigan – looks to have all the tools at his disposal, with the hope being that he can force his way into Frank’s first-team plans later down the line.

At 20, the modern game might suggest his time has already come and gone to break into an elite team like Spurs, yet if he can look to the case of Kane for inspiration, Abbott could prove to be the north Londoners’ next shining loan success story.

With a new long-term contract signed back in north London ahead of the new campaign, he is certainly one for the future.

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Yet another disappointing result for Manchester City.

On Wednesday night, the Sky Blues were held to a 2-2 by Monaco at Stade Louis II in the Champions League, despite leading twice, only to concede a penalty in the final minute.

Let’s start with the positives for the Citizens, namely Erling Braut Håland, who scored two magnificent goals in the Principality, taking his tally to 52 goals in just 50 Champions League appearances.

He has reached that landmark so quickly that, as noted by BBC Match of the Day, he has to be compared to clubs, not players, having scored more goals in his first 50 Champions League outings than Panathinaikos, CSKA Moscow, Celtic, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Club Brugge, Lille, Anderlecht and Dinamo Zagreb… we could go on!

Despite these exploits, dating back to last season, Pep Guardiola’s team have now won only four of ten league phase fixtures, despite winning 28 of 36 group stage games beforehand.

A few donning all black on Wednesday night did not cover themselves in glory, giving Guardiola some big selection decisions ahead of Sunday’s tricky trip to Brentford, so should he leave out arguably his most trusted lieutenant?

Nico González's difficult night in Monaco

Just as Manchester City were seemingly set to pick up all three points, les Monégasques were gifted a route back into the game.

As the clock was about to hit 90, a Monaco free-kick played into the box found Eric Dier but, as he headed the ball towards goal, Nico González came charging in and kicked the England defender in the face.

After a very long VAR consultation, referee Jesús Gil Manzano pointed to the spot and, to the surprise of many, Dier himself stepped up, sending Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way and ensuring it finished 2-2.

More broadly, since arriving from Porto on deadline day in the winter for £50m, Nico has struggled to make an impact in sky blue.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Despite his compatriot Rodri’s continued injury issues, the la Masia academy graduate has started only 13 Premier League or Champions League games since debuting in February, deputising at Wolves on the opening day and against Burnley on Saturday.

Nevertheless, for someone who arrived for such a huge amount of money, and with impressive pedigree behind him, he is yet to consistently deliver, his only league goal for the club coming against Bournemouth in May, not that this is what he’s in the team for.

In summary, Nico is in danger of becoming the next Kalvin Phillips, signed for £50m to alleviate the burden on Rodri, before being cast aside and forgotten about, but there is another Manchester City player, who has made over 400 appearances for the club, who is at risk of losing his place in the team.

Pep must consider benching 'world class' Man City star

The Citizens’ trip to Stade Louis II this week evoked memories of their only previous visit to the Principality in March 2017, dumped out on away goals after a thrilling 6-6 aggregate draw.

That Monaco team, who would go on to reach the Champions League semi-finals and win the club’s only Ligue 1 title since 2000, contained Kylian Mbappé, Radamel Falcao, Fabinho, Benjamin Mendy, João Moutinho, Tiémoué Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar and a certain Bernardo Silva.

The Portuguese winger moved to Manchester for £43.5m the following summer, making 415 appearances for the club to date, winning 17 major honours to date, but he did not enjoy a happy return to the French Riviera.

The table below documents his statistics from Wednesday night’s draw.

Touches

70

8th

Shots on target

1

7th

xG

0.07

10th

Accurate passes

49

9th

Key passes

1

13th

Duels contested

6

14th

Duels won

1

26th

Possession lost

12

4th

Sofascore rating

6.0

29th

As the table notes, despite registering plenty of touches, Silva did not do a lot with the ball.

He lost possession on 12 occasions, only Phil Foden of Man City players did so more, also losing five of the six duels he contested, meaning he still has no goals and just one assist to his name this season.

Speaking on Sky Sports News in 2023, one content creator labelled Silva “world class”, while Ben Littlemore of Transfermarkt argued last year that he was Man City’s most important player.

In Guardiola’s managerial career, Silva is the player he has picked most, 34 times above Kevin De Bruyne who is second on the list, but now might be time to start phasing out the 31-year-old.

On the bench on Wednesday, the Citizens had both Oscar Bobb and Savinho, with Jérémy Doku starting on the opposite flank, all of whom offer a lot more dynamism and direct attacking play than Silva, emphasising why two of that trio should be in the team to take on Brentford come Sunday afternoon.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Esta quinta-feira (10) será essencial para a temporada do São Paulo. Após perder o jogo de ida contra o San Lorenzo por 1 a 0, na Argentina, o Tricolor terá que reverter o resultado no Morumbi para conseguir sua vaga nas quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana. Mas se engana quem pensa que somente a classificação está em jogo.

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Embora a vaga seja essencial para o São Paulo, existem outros pontos que tornam a partida tão importante: desde a ‘revanche’ do resultado na final do último ano até metas orçamentárias que já estavam previstas desde o começo do ano. A reportagem do Lance! reuniu alguns pontos que mostram o porquê o confronto vai muito além do que somente a classificação.

Metas orçamentárias e questão financeira
Como de costume, no começo da temporada o Conselho Deliberativo do São Paulo definiu as metas orçamentárias e esportivas do clube para 2023. De acordo com o que foi divulgado na época, a principal intenção é que o Tricolor tivesse um ano ‘equilibrado financeiramente e uma equipe competitiva’. Era previsto que o clube do Morumbi chegasse até as finais do Campeonato Paulista e da Copa Sul-Americana, além de chegar até as quartas de final da Copa do Brasil.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Tricolor com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Mas logo no começo do ano, a situação complicou com a eliminação precoce no Paulista, quando o São Paulo foi eliminado pelo Água Santa nas quartas de final. Assim, manter as outras duas metas se tornou praticamente uma ‘obrigação’ para o balanço do clube.

A intenção é fechar um balanço parecido com o último ano, onde após três anos, conseguiu fechar no azul. Vale relembrar que a dívida que o São Paulo enfrenta caiu de R$ 642,4 milhões para R$ 586,5 milhões.

Pela classificação para a fase atual, o São Paulo desembolsou cerca de R$ 9,29 milhões em prêmios oferecidos pela entidade na competição continental. A equipe pode receber um valor superior a R$ 40 milhões caso conquiste o bicampeonato.

 Superar o trauma do ano passado
Em 2022, o São Paulo chegou perto de conquistar a Sul-Americana, mas deixou o título escapar. Em Córdoba, na Argentina, o Tricolor perdeu por 2 a 0 a decisão contra o Independiente Del Valle. Uma derrota dolorida, tanto para o elenco quanto para os torcedores que estavam com uma alta expectativa. Inclusive, por boa parte da temporada passada, o título era visto como uma das grandes prioridades do ano. E voltando ao tópico anterior, visto como o grande favorito ao título, o Tricolor não conseguiu ser campeão, e assim, deixou de lucrar quase R$ 30 milhões – que receberia na premiação.

Jejum de títulos internacionais
Desde 2012, o São Paulo não conquistou mais nenhuma competição internacional. A última foi justamente na edição da Copa Sul-Americana daquele ano, quando o Tricolor enfrentou o Tigre e, após uma confusão generalizada entre os atletas dos dois times, o Tigre se negou a voltar para o segundo tempo. Assim, o São Paulo foi declarado como campeão.

O São Paulo só conquistou mais um título depois daquele ano. No caso, o Campeonato Paulista de 2021. Ou seja, a conquista da edição em 2023 romperia um longo jejum de conquistas maiores que o time enfrenta.

Mas o que o São Paulo precisa para classificar?
Sem nunca ter perdido para o San Lorenzo no Morumbi, o São Paulo precisa de um gol para levar para os pênaltis. Se vencer por uma diferença maior, se classifica sem problemas. Só não pode perder.

Manchester United will pay tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack at a local synagogue this week when they play Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday. Two men were killed when a man drove into members of the public before stabbing people worshipping in the north of the city on Thursday. The perpetrator was shot dead by armed police, who accidentally killed one of the victims.

United to hold minute's silence and wear black armbands

United have been granted permission by the Premier League to hold a minute's silence before the game and for the team to wear black armbands to honour the victims.

AdvertisementAmorim: It's a crazy world

United boss Ruben Amorim expressed his sympathy with the victims. He told a press conference: "It's a crazy world that we are living in the moment, a lot of these things are happening. Of course, our sympathy for for the victims, and we will pay tribute tomorrow."

Echoes of horrific 2017 attack

Police said that three people remain in hospital, one of whom is being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The attack has brought back memories of the 2017 bombing at the Manchester Arena, when 22 people plus the perpetrator were killed by an explosion during an Ariana Grande concert.

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Man Utd take on Sunderland

United's match with Sunderland is scheduled to kick off at 3pm BST, with tributes coming just before that. This will be the Red Devils' last fixture before the October international break.

Manchester City have now opened club-to-club talks over a deal for a “world-class” player, who may now be available at a 50% discount, according to a report.

City open account with dominant victory at Molineux

After falling way below their usual lofty standards last season, Man City may feel as though they have been somewhat written off, with several pundits predicting that Arsenal will finally end their long wait to win the Premier League title.

For instance, Roy Keane believes Mikel Arteta’s side will be able to get over the line, despite City making a solid addition between the sticks, saying: “I never usually bet against Pep and City. I just think maybe defensively, and I know that they’ve thrown James Trafford in there, and I think he’s a really top goalkeeper but I just have that gut feeling that I think Arsenal might do it this year.”

City laid down a marker in their opening game of the season, however, with their attacking quality on full show in a 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, while Trafford kept a clean sheet, in what was a solid first competitive outing.

Statistic

Number completed

Saves from inside box

3

Runs out (succ)

3

High claims

1

As such, Pep Guardiola may not need to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, but the manager is clearly still keen to get another one through the door, having entered club-to-club talks over a deal for another shot-stopper.

Indeed, according to a report from Football Italia, Man City have now entered direct negotiations over a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, with discussions progressing considerably over the past 24 hours.

PSG were initially set to hold out for a fee of €45m – €50m (£39m – £44m), but City have made it clear they are not willing to pay that, and a deal could be possible for around £19.5m – £22m, which would be a 50% discount.

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The French club are aware they will lose the goalkeeper on a free transfer next summer, and they are eager to save on his huge salary, meaning the Blues should be able to hash out a deal before the September 1st transfer deadline.

Donnarumma could be "world-class" addition to Pep's squad

It is surprising that PSG are willing to sanction the Italian shot-stopper’s departure, given that he was their number one throughout their Champions League-winning 2024-25 campaign, while the 26-year-old has also caught the eye at international level in the past.

As such, it is clear to see why City hold an interest in the former AC Milan goalkeeper, but it seems a little harsh on Trafford, given that the 22-year-old is ready to be first-choice, rather than a back-up.

The situation that unfolded at Arsenal, with Aaron Ramsdale leaving after David Raya’s arrival, proves that clubs simply cannot have two top goalkeepers on the books at the same time, so it would be strange to bring in Donnarumma this summer.

Glasgow Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said one new Hoops player is “not quite at the level” to play in the Champions League.

Celtic facing Kairat Almaty in Champions League qualifier

The Hoops have had a solid start to the Scottish Premiership season, winning both of their opening games, and are now looking to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Rodgers, who has so far made seven new signings this summer, is preparing his side to take on Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan in a two-legged tie.

Celtic’s summer signings so far

From

Fee

Benjamin Nygren

FC Nordsjaelland

£2m

Shin Yamada

Kawasaki Frontale

£1.5m

Hayato Inamura

Albirex Niigata

£250,000

Kieran Tierney

Arsenal

Free

Ross Doohan

Aberdeen

Free

Callum Osmand

Fulham

Undisclosed

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey

Man City

Loan

Celtic and Rodgers have already named their Champions League squad, but there is no room for one new name.

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The 23-year-old Japanese defender joined on a four-year deal from J-League side Albirex Niigata in June, having moved up a level from university football in 2024, but is yet to make his competitive debut.

Inamura will not do so in the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty after being left out of Rodgers’ squad.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عن العقوبة التي سيوقعها ليفربول على لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي، هوجو إيكتيكي، بسبب الطرد الذي حصل عليه في مباراة ساوثهامبتون.

وسجل هوجو إيكتيكي الهدف الثاني لـ ليفربول في مرمى ساوثهامبتون بالمباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات كأس كاراباو، على ملعب “آنفيلد”.

وبعد الهدف الذي سجله المهاجم الدولي الفرنسي قام بالاحتفال بخلع قميصه مما جعل الحكم يشهر البطاقة الصفراء الثانية له ومن ثم تم طرده مباشرة بعد الهدف.

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وأعرب آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لليفربول عن استيائه وغضبه الشديد من تصرف إيكتيكي واصفًا إياه بالغبي والسخيف (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

ووفقًأ لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية، فإن العقوبة التي سيوقعها نادي ليفربول على مهاجمه الفرنسي هي خصم أسبوعين من راتبه.

وذكرت أيضًا أن إيكتيكي تعرض للتوبيخ المعنوي الشديد من قبل زملائه مثل جيريمي فريمبونج ونائب القائد أندرو روبرتسون الذي قال عن هذا التصرف: “لن يفعل ذلك مرة أخرى”.

ويستعد ليفربول لخوض مباراته في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ضد كريستال بالاس يوم السبت المقبل في الجولة السادسة، حيث سيغيب إيكتيكي للإيقاف حسب لوائح الاتحاد الإنجليزي لكرة القدم.

It’s not too long to wait now for Manchester City fans as next month’s Premier League opener away at Wolverhampton Wanderers gradually sneaks into view.

This summer has been a busy one for Pep Guardiola so far, as the Spaniard attempts to restore the Citizens to their former glories after a disappointing 24/25 campaign, with James Trafford the next standout purchase on the City agenda, after already snapping up the likes of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders for mega bucks.

Trafford will cost around the £27m mark to bring back to his boyhood club, with the Burnley shot-stopper set to undergo a medical very soon to officially seal the deal.

City are unlikely to be done there as they continue to revamp their options, as a fresh approach is now in the offing for City to land a long-term target to complement the Englishman at the back.

Man City weigh up £50m approach

Burnley aren’t the only Premier League side wary of City’s increased summer spending, with West Ham United also hesitant as Guardiola and Co begin to look at Lucas Paqueta as a potential buy in the middle of the park.

Reports have suggested that the Citizens could snap up the services of the Brazilian for around the £40m price range, having excited those at the London Stadium with his full-throttle displays centrally.

For £10m more, however, City could fix a big problem area in their XI, with a new development from football journalist Dean Jones, when appearing on the Transfers from Paradise podcast, revealing that City have made a fresh approach for Newcastle United star Tino Livramento.

The Magpies, of course, won’t want to lose Livramento as Alexander Isak is also edging towards the St James’ Park exit door.

But, it remains to be seen whether £50m would be enough to prise the 22-year-old away from Tyneside, with Livramento going down as a better signing than Paqueta in finally offering City a fresh defender down their depleted right flank.

Why Livramento would be a better signing than Paqueta

In Paqueta’s defence, he has proven himself to be a bright spark for the Hammers when he hasn’t been embroiled in some off-field issues, as seen in his weighty 18 goals and 14 assists for West Ham over 120 appearances.

However, there is no guarantee he will upset the first team apple cart if he were to switch the London Stadium for the Etihad, with City very much well-stocked in the middle of the park, with Reijnders also joining Guardiola’s camp this summer.

On top of that, the Spaniard also has promising talents such as Claudio Echeverri, whom he can call upon in the number ten spot, alongside Jeremy Doku, who has shown flashes of his excellence donning City sky blue, when collecting 14 goals and 20 assists down the left flank, where Paqueta is also comfortable playing.

His versatility might well have come in handy, but it’s been a clear issue for City since Joao Cancelo’s exit that they are in dire need of an expansive, attack-minded full-back on the right, with Livramento emerging as the perfect candidate to boost the Citizens in this spot on the pitch.

Livramento’s career numbers by position

Position played

Games

Goals

Assists

RB

87

1

6

RM

36

3

11

LB

19

0

1

LM

4

1

1

RW

1

0

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Across his career to date, the one-time senior England international has stood out as a forward-thinking defender, with a bumper three goals and 11 assists even coming his way when lining up as a right midfielder.

Away from just his output, however, last season in the Premier League also showed off Livramento’s drive and determination to defend valiantly for Eddie Howe’s men, as the 22-year-old bettered stand-in City option Matheus Nunes when it came to ball recovery numbers, with Livramento winning 5.1 on average next to his counterpart’s lesser 2.7.

The hope will be that Livramento can only get better when adjusting to his new environment, having been praised for his “aggressive” and “frontfoot” approach by Howe regularly, on top of also being lauded as possessing a “bright future” in the game by ex-defensive great Ashley Cole.

Whilst Paqueta would no doubt offer City quality as well, he might be more impactful from a background role.

Whereas, the “outstanding” £50m ace – as football journalist Jacob Whitehead has glowingly labelled him – has the potential to be City’s starter on the right for many years to come.

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Jul 25, 2025