Magpies ‘confident’ of signing £30m-rated Tino Livramento despite Brighton interest

Newcastle United are in talks with Southampton over signing England under-21 right-back Tino Livramento, but face competition from Brighton.

The Magpies are looking to strike early deals in the transfer market and will complete an eye-catching £52m deal for Milan’s Italy under-21 midfielder Sandro Tonali by the end of the week.

But they are also working on another midfield signing and a deal for former Chelsea defender Livramento, an exciting talent who spent virtually the whole of last season on the sidelines.

i understands there is still work to do on the deal, with Saints valuing Livramento at £30m while Newcastle hope to do a deal for half that amount.

Sources have indicated Newcastle are confident they can broker a deal with the player keen to join, although Brighton are monitoring the situation. He is understood to be a long-term Newcastle target.

The Magpies already have England right-back Kieran Trippier in their squad, who has been a key part of their transformation from a relegation-threatened side to one that will compete in the Champions League next season.

But Livramento could offer competition while also supplementing a squad that will need to be improved to cope with European competition next season.

Newcastle also have former West Ham right-back Harrison Ashby on the books but i understands that he may be allowed out on loan, with a clutch of Championship clubs having enquired about him.

The Magpies want another midfielder and a left-back but hopes of doing a deal for James Maddison appear to be fading. Leicester are willing to sell the England man but Tottenham have shown the most interest of late.

Newcastle are treading a financial tightrope this summer, able to add proven international quality like Tonali but also having to skirt around Financial Fair play regulations that will limit what they can spend this summer.

They believe a deal for Livramento would tick plenty of boxes for Eddie Howe, though, who wants reinforcements in before Newcastle return to pre-season training in around a fortnight.

Southampton are likely to sell some of their young prospects to fund a push for promotion from the Championship, with Livramento, James Ward-Prowse and Liverpool target Romeo Lavia all attracting interest. Kyle Walker-Peters also has plenty of admirers.