Tino Livramento prefers a move to Newcastle over Chelsea this summer if a deal can be agreed between the side and Southampton in the coming weeks. That's according to the Daily Mail, which claims the Magpies have already made offers for the 20-year-old full-back following relegation to the Championship.
Livramento has managed to impress in his short spell in senior football so far, making the move to join the Saints from the Blues in search of more game time. In his first season, the youngster showed plenty of promise, but his second season didn't quite have the same luck as a serious knee injury ruled him out for the season.
While relegation seemed inevitable at times for Southampton, many would question if the presence of the right-back could've helped turn things around. However, his days of playing at St. Mary's may be short-lived as teams queue up over a potential switch this summer.
"I have nothing to say about James Ward-Prowse or Tino Livramento," new Saints boss Russell Martin said in his first press conference. "Whilst they are here all we can do is ask them to train and give everything they've got. In terms of transfers I've got nothing to say, some people will stay and some people will leave."
While that hardly gives the game away as to whether the English youngster will make a move, Chelsea do hold one slight advantage over their rivals. The Blues have a buyback clause inserted in the deal from 2021 that reports claim is in the £40million region, though that could be viewed as a steep investment.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Done deal, Mason Mount to Man Utd, Caicedo offer, signing confirmed
Their main issue may be finding a regular place in the side for him, with Reece James joined by the signing of Malo Gusto in the summer window for that position. The Daily Mail adds that joining Chelsea only to be loaned out again wouldn't excite Livramento at this stage.
It means a move to Newcastle is all the more likely, with Eddie Howe and his side making their first forays into the Champions League in years. With Kieran Trippier the only current option at right-back, the increase in competitions could allow the full-back an option for game time as well as a long-term plan to become the first-choice there.