Manchester City are casting their net wide in the search for a right-back | OneFootball

Manchester City are continuing their search for a right-back this summer. A report from Dean Jones and Daniel Feliciano for GIVEMESPORT indicates that City believe they have turned the head of Newcastle United’s versatile full-back Tino Livramento. But Newcastle United aren’t willing to sell Livramento Jones and Feliciano’s further report. If Manchester City cannot sign Livramento they’ll have to look elsewhere to find a right-back this summer.

Now Esteemed Kompany sources have learned that Manchester City are amongst a host of clubs interested in signing FC Porto’s impressive young right-back Martim Fernandes. Fernandes could be a player who could establish himself as a long-term candidate for the right-back role in Pep Guardiola’s squad if City do pursue a move for the FC Porto right-back this summer.

Manchester City have identified Martim Fernandes as a potential transfer target.

It has been discovered by Esteemed Kompany sources that Martim Fernandes is on Manchester City’s shortlist. The Portuguese youth international has impressed City scouts with his technical ability, and defensive acumen. Considering that Fernandes is only 19 years of age he does have the talent and potential to become a top right-back in time. Esteemed Kompany sources have also discovered that the Manchester City hierarchy is set to meet with the representatives of Martim Fernandes. The purpose of this meeting is to find out if the young right-back is open to a summer move to the Etihad.

It has also been revealed by Esteemed Kompany sources that City could face competition to sign Martim Fernandes. Arsenal, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in signing Fernandes. Lastly, it is believed that FC Porto would demand that the €60 million release clause in Martim Fernandes’ contract is paid to sell the young right-back.

Martim Fernandes is a quality young prospect with all of talent and potential to make it at the highest level.

Looking at Martim Fernandes as a player, he is a quality young defender with his best years ahead of him. He is good in possession with a good range of passing. He can also carry the ball well and his delivery in the final third is also ot an exceptional level. But given that Fernandes is only 19 years of age all those areas of his game should improve in time.

Defensively, Martim Fernandes has all of the traits of an elite right-back. He is good and strong in a challenge and also reads the game well. He has the physical attributes to get up and down the pitch and this helps him defensively. What catches the eye when watching Fernandes play is how well he knows when to attack and when to sit back. There is a maturity beyond his years in how well he reads the state of a game defensively. As with his ability in possession, all of those attributes should improve as he develops as a player.

Martim Fernandes is also a versatile player. Throughout the 24/25 season, he played in a variety of positions for FC Porto. As per transfermarkt.com he played at right-back, left-back, centre-back and on the right of midfield. The young right-back ticks the majority of the boxes necessary for a potential Manchester City signing.

Is Martim Fernandes a viable alternative to Tino Livramento?

If Manchester City cannot sign Tino Livramento, they will have to look elsewhere to sign a right-back. Martim Fernandes could be that player. But there is seemingly one question mark that surrounds Fernandes as a player.

Would the young FC Porto right-back be ready to make the step up in Pep Guardiola’s squad? Martim Fernandes is an impressive player and prospect but is he ready for the step up to the Premier League? That appears to be the major question surrounding a potential City move for the young right-back. Potentially, Fernandes could share duties at right-back with Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis or Manuel Akanji. But at the reported €60 million fee perhaps Manchester City would expect more from a signing at that price.

It would now seem that Martim Fernandes is looming as a potential target for Manchester City if they cannot sign Tino Livramento. The young right-back is a prodigious talent with his best years ahead of him as a player. He does appear to be a player that City would typically target. It just remains to be seen if that is a move Manchester City pursue as they bid to sign a right-back this summer.