Man City might have swapped one problem position for another after £31m transfer

Tino Livramento used the straightest of straight bats to respond to a question about Manchester City's interest in him this week as he dodged the issue while away on England Under-21 duty.

City have shown an interest in the Newcastle United full-back as they look for a long-term successor to Kyle Walker, but the Magpies have slapped a sizeable price tag on the 22-year-old and don't need to sell after securing Champions League qualification.

Walker is set to depart the Etihad this summer after eight years as City's first-choice right-back. With Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes holding the fort at times last term, reinforcements could be pursued this summer.

Livramento is an option in that position, but when asked if he was flattered to be linked with a club of City's stature while on media duty with the Young Lions during the European Under-21 Championship, he insisted his focus was on events in Slovakia.

"I'm very much focused on what I'm doing here now. I don't know anything about that," he said. "Being away with the Under-21s is my main priority. I like to stay in the moment and just focus on what I can do to help the team now."

Livramento revealed he had been in contact with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

"The manager, I'm in constant contact with him," he said. "He has just said to keep focusing on what you're doing now and you're doing so well.

“So having that relationship with someone that is obviously such a big figure in what I've done so far, I think is an amazing thing for me.”

The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.

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