According to reports in the North East, Newcastle United are about to increase their offer for Southampton defender Tino Livramento, perhaps highlighting just how derisory their opening bid was,
Newcastle spent the first part of the transfer window pleading poverty, it was said that the alleged richest club in England only had £75 million to spend in the summer transfer window. hence their offer of only £15 million for Tino Livramento.
Even if Southampton were desperate for cash this was hardly worth their while given the rumoured sell on clause of 20% of any profit made by Saints when selling him.
With Saints paying £5 million for Livramento, that would mean that Newcastle's £15 million would see Saints losing around £2 million of that to Chelsea, so selling a top player for a net profit of £8 million was not attractive.
Football Insider are claiming that Newcastle are now about to raise their bid for the right back to £25 million.
But will that be enough, Chelsea also have a buy back clause said to be £50 million and Saints would be far happier for the player to go back to Stamford Bridge.
Knowing all this, just why did Newcastle with all their money put in such a low bid, you would think they would behave with some dignity and at least match the players current valuation according to Transfermarkt of around £25 million.
This is based though on a player who has been out long term injured and only played 2 sub appearances on his return, Southampton know that even this figure is below the valuation they would achieve should he make a successful comeback to his previous form.
Saints are in no hurry with Livramento, they can afford to wait and get the market value, yes they need to sell some members of their squad quickly to fill key positions, but right back isn't one of them, with 3 other players in Kyle Walker Peters, James Bree & Lewis Payne who can play there.