“It was nice” – Manchester City right-back target flattered by Pep Guardiola interest | OneFootball

Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso has reacted to transfer interest from Manchester City in January amid continued speculation over a possible summer switch to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City held talks to add the 25-year-old Italy international to their ranks midway through the recent campaign after Kyle Walker moved to AC Milan on loan – leaving Pep Guardiola in desperate need of cover at right-back.

Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis and January signing Abdukodir Khusanov collectively shouldered the burden on the right flank of defence in the second half of the campaign, with Walker set to leave the club permanently this summer.

The 35-year-old has been told he has no future at the Etihad Stadium next term as Manchester City eye a fifth signing of the transfer window amid interest in Cambiaso and Newcastle’s Valentino Livramento.

City are believed to have held initial talks with Newcastle for Livramento, who has three years remaining on his current deal at St. James’ Park after a breakthrough few seasons under Eddie Howe in Tyneside, where he moved from Southampton in 2023.

However, Howe remains adamant on keeping hold of the 22-year-old England international currently with the young Three Lions for the U-21 European Championship, where Livramento has reacted to transfer interest from the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have already made four new signings this summer, having added all of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki to their ranks before jetting off to the United States for their ongoing FIFA Club World Cup campaign.

Outgoings and contract renewals could dominate the headlines for the duration of the tournament – which will run till mid-July – but Manchester City are still expected to return to the market and secure the arrival of a new right-back to replace the outgoing Walker.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Football Italia, Cambiaso has delivered his verdict on interest from Manchester City in January as the 2023 treble winners consider whether they want to re-enter negotiations with Newcastle for Livrameno.

“Let’s say they (Manchester City) have almost unlimited financial resources – their ownership is incredibly wealthy – so I’m not surprised they’ve already spent so much on the transfer market,” Cambiaso said.

“In January, it was nice just to talk, but I’m happy to be here (at Juventus) and to wear this shirt. I was never really close anyway — it was nice and flattering to be linked with clubs like that, but I’ll say it again: I’m truly happy to be playing here.”

It is unlikely that Manchester City get involved in a lengthy transfer saga and newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana will be eyeing alternatives if the Blues are to move on from their interest in Livrameno ahead of the new campaign.