Newcastle agree £30m fee for Southampton defender Tino Livramento…as the highly rated defender prefers the Magpies to a return from Chelsea

Newcastle have signed a deal with Southampton for £30 million for defender Tino Livramento.

The 20-year-old will now travel to Tyneside to complete his medical before becoming the club’s third senior signing this summer, following Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes.

The fee could rise to around £35 million with add-ons linked to the Champions League, and former club Chelsea will take 40 per cent of the package after inserting a sell-on clause when he joined the Saints in 2021.

Eddie Howe sees the right-back as the long-term replacement for Kieran Trippier, who turns 33 next month.

We understand that the player likes to play understudy this season, as he is back in top form after a year-long ACL absence.

Eddie Howe prepares his side for an unexpected Champions League campaign next season

Livramento will be Kieran Trippier’s understudy while he is fully fit again

There is also an acceptance that Trippier will not play every game given the added Champions League fixtures, and that the England star can also switch to left-back when required.

Newcastle have been in talks with Southampton for three weeks and after a £30 million deal including add-ons was rejected last week, talks gained momentum on Monday.

Livramento has played five caps for the England Under-21s but has not started a match for senior clubs since April last year when he injured his knee in a Premier League game against Brighton.

On his arrival at St James’ Park, 21-year-old right-back Harrison Ashby will join Swansea on loan. The right-back initially joined the Saints from Chelsea in 2021 to gain regular playing time with Reece James ahead of him in the pecking order.