City Step Up Interest in Livramento and Wesley as Walker Replacement
Manchester City are ramping up their pursuit of Flamengo full-back Wesley as Pep Guardiola begins shaping his squad for next season — and it looks like the 21-year-old could be lined up as Kyle Walker’s long-term successor.
Manchester City are ramping up their pursuit of Flamengo full-back Wesley as Pep Guardiola begins shaping his squad for next season — and it looks like the 21-year-old could be lined up as Kyle Walker’s long-term successor.
Walker’s recent loan move to AC Milan followed a rocky spell at the Etihad, with form and fitness issues seeing him slip down the pecking order under Pep. The England international is set to return this summer, but sources around the club suggest his time in sky blue is all but over — City have no plans to reintegrate the veteran defender.
With a trophyless season behind them — including a painful Premier League title loss to Liverpool and a surprise Champions League exit in the Round of 16 — the City hierarchy are expected to back Guardiola in the market as he rebuilds his next great team.
And now, reliable reports from Brazil — via Paparazzo Rubro-Negro and relayed by Sport Witness — claim that Guardiola himself is behind City’s growing interest in Wesley. The Flamengo right-back has a deal running until 2028, but the Treble winners have the financial muscle to test the Brazilian club’s resolve.
Price Tag Rising for One of Brazil’s Brightest
Wesley has emerged as one of the top young full-backs in South America, and while Flamengo had initially valued him around €35–37 million, that price is reportedly rising — especially with City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and even Barcelona all monitoring his situation.
One key sticking point? Flamengo’s desire to hold onto Wesley at least until after the Club World Cup, where they hope he’ll play a major role. Convincing president Luiz Eduardo Baptista to cash in early could be the deciding factor.
As Brazilian source Rubro-Negro put it:
“Yes, it is possible. Manchester City, at Guardiola’s request, are interested in Wesley. The big question is whether Flamengo will be convinced to sell now — before the Club World Cup.”
Livramento Also on the Radar
Wesley isn’t the only option under consideration. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is also being monitored by City as a potential Walker replacement. According to Fabrizio Romano, the ex-Chelsea youth product is seen as a viable target, despite only joining the Magpies last summer in a deal worth £40m.
A decision is expected “ahead of the Club World Cup” — suggesting City are aiming to have their right-back situation sorted well before the tournament kicks off.
