Following a busy winter window that saw the arrivals of Marc Guéhi and Antoine Semenyo, Manchester City are already working on their next tactical evolution: a long-term successor at right-back.
Despite the recent closure of the January window, Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen to bolster his defensive flanks this summer. According to TEAMtalk, the Premier League champions have identified Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Brentford’s Michael Kayode as the primary candidates to compete with Rico Lewis.
The Search for Competition
Currently, Rico Lewis is the only natural right-back in the first-team squad following recent departures. However, Guardiola has found an unexpected solution within his existing roster. Matheus Nunes has undergone a tactical transformation this season, successfully dropping into the right-back role to provide depth.
The Portuguese international has been a mainstay in the lineup, clocking 2,400 minutes across 30 appearances, significantly more than Lewis’s 925 minutes. While the “Nunes experiment” has been a success, City insiders believe a specialist signing is required for the 2026/27 campaign.
Livramento vs. Kayode: The Financials
Tino Livramento (Newcastle): The 23-year-old is the premium choice. Valued at approximately €42 million, his Premier League experience and homegrown status make him an attractive, albeit expensive, option.
Michael Kayode (Brentford): The 21-year-old Italian is seen as a “high-upside” alternative. With a market value of €17 million, Kayode would be a significantly more affordable rotation piece for the City squad.
Premier League Title Race
As City prepare for their summer business, their immediate focus remains on the pitch. Currently chasing Arsenal in a heated title race, Manchester City face a season-defining clash against Liverpool this Sunday (08). Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 GMT at the Etihad, in a match that could shift the momentum of the entire championship.
James Horan is a football writer focused on the Premier League transfer market, covering confirmed signings, transfer rumors, and club strategies during the transfer windows.
