Newcastle close to signing Southampton defender Tino Livramento

Newcastle are closing in on a deal to sign Southampton defender Tino Livramento for a fee which could rise to around £35 million, according to media reports.

Talks between the two clubs are understood to be at a very advanced stage and the England Under-21 international is expected to become Newcastle boss Eddie Howe's third first-team signing this summer.

It has been reported a fee which could rise to £40 million had been agreed, but it is understood performance-related add-ons would take the figure closer to £35 million.

Livramento, 20, who signed a five-year deal when he joined Southampton from Chelsea for £5 million in August 2021, missed all but the final two games last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in April 2022.

He returned to action in May, making two substitute appearances in Southampton's final two Premier League games before they were relegated.

Newcastle will play Champions League football next season after finishing fourth in Howe's first full campaign in charge.

Last month the Magpies signed Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan in a deal reportedly worth in excess of £50 million and winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester for a fee which could rise to £38 million.