Russell Martin keen for ‘really exciting’ Newcastle target to stay amid transfer deadlock
Newcastle United have been frustrated so far in their efforts to land Tino Livramento and Southampton manager Russell Martin admits he is keen for the in-demand full-back to stay
Southampton boss Russell Martin has stressed he is keen to keep Tino Livramento at the club despite ongoing transfer talks with Newcastle United. The Magpies have identified the former Chelsea prospect as a summer target, although the clubs remain some distance apart in their valuation of the 20-year-old.
Livramento enjoyed a breakout season with the Saints in the 2021/2022 campaign, but spent nearly all of last season on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury. The full-back is now one of several stars tipped with an exit in the current window following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
Martin has handed Livramento a new role in his possession-oriented system, asking the full-back to come into midfield in the style of both John Stones and Trent Alexander-Arnold. The recently appointed Saints manager is confident the defender will ‘create a lot’ in the new setup, although admitting it will take time for him to adapt.
The formation experiment saw Livramento try the new position in Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Goztepe, a match which saw James Ward-Prowse blaze a penalty high over the crossbar. Martin later addressed the full-back’s future, and is adamant he wants to keep working with the ‘really exciting’ talent in the upcoming campaign.
He told the Daily Echo: “It’s just about his [Livramento’s] understanding of where he needs to be on the pitch for us and why. He won’t do it in every single game, there will be variants and different details.
“I think he is getting used to it though and I think he enjoys how much of the ball he gets, he will create a lot for us from there. He will still be able to get on the outside and do what he has done best, he is a really exciting player to work with, a real talent and I’m enjoying working with him. Hopefully, it will stay that way.”
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Southampton: Caleta-Car expected to leave club
Southampton could be set to lose several players this window as they gear up for life in the Sky Bet Championship.
Southampton will ‘expect’ the likes of defender Duje Caleta-Car to leave St Mary’s Stadium this summer ahead of their return to the Sky Bet Championship, according to Daily Express reporter Ryan Taylor.
Will Duje Caleta-Car leave Southampton this summer?
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Caleta-Car could follow his ex-teammate Mislav Orsic to Trabzonspor this summer, with an initial loan deal said to be on the table for the £40k-a-week ace.
Pianet Genoa via Football Italia claim that Serie A side Genoa have approached Southampton over the possibility of signing Caleta-Car this window, with a loan deal including an option-to-buy floated as a solution to end his woes on the South Coast.
Caleta Car only joined Southampton last year from Marseille in a deal worth £8 million, signing a four-year contract at the club, as per The Daily Mail. Former boss Ralph Hassenhuttl spoke highly of the Croatia international upon his arrival, stating to the media: “Duje is already a very established and experienced player, who has done an impressive job at his previous clubs. ‘He is a big presence on the pitch and he will bring even more quality into our centre-back group.”
Nevertheless, Caleta Car couldn’t stop Southampton’s eventual relegation despite scoring twice in 20 appearances across all competitions in his debut campaign, as per Transfermarkt.
Now, the Sibenik-born defender looks set for a fresh challenge ahead of 2023/24 and it looks as if it’ll only be a matter of time before his next destination becomes apparent.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express reporter Taylor agrees with the notion that Caleta-Car will be moved on and adds that he expects several other players to leave Southampton.
Taylor said: “I think there are some that will leave. I expect players like Caleta-Car to leave. Obviously, Lavia would be a great sell for Southampton because they can generate a lot of cash there.
“There’s Walker-Peters as well. I think he’ll get a Premier League move because he is a very solid defender. Ward-Prowse would also generate cash, so I think the future is bright for Southampton.”
Who else could leave Southampton this window and where could they go?
In an unfortunate situation, it looks like open season has descended on the South Coast as several of their first-team players attract interest from the Premier League and beyond owing to Southampton’s relegation.
The Daily Mail report that West Ham United have made a ‘verbal offer’ for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse as the Hammers look to replace ex-captain Declan Rice.
Examining the case of young Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, both Arsenal and Liverpool are set to push each other all the way in their attempts to land the Belgium international, according to Football Insider.
Telegraph Sport claimed last month that Ryan Fraser could be offered up to Southampton as part of a swap deal that would see Tino Livramento move to Newcastle United.
Of course, the Saints have made inroads into building a new-look squad for the upcoming season, with Shea Charles and Ryan Manning arriving at St Mary’s from Manchester City and Swansea City, respectively.
Nevertheless, the next few weeks will prove to be telling for the Saints as several of their star players get set to walk through the exit door at the club.
