Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly considering a creative and rare swap deal to land a top defensive target, with the club's January transfer window otherwise expected to be quiet.
Arteta's Quiet Window and Summer Priorities
Despite links to high-profile names like Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz, the Gunners are not anticipated to be major players this month. The return of injured players is seen as sufficient reinforcement, with the club preferring to wait until summer to negotiate for primary targets without the pressure of inflated prices or last-minute scrambles.
The focus, however, has shifted to a potential deal closer to home involving Newcastle United's highly-rated English defender, Tino Livramento. He is understood to be a 'leading target' for the North London club.
The Proposed Swap: Livramento for White
With Jurrien Timber established as first-choice right-back, Arsenal could look to facilitate a move for Livramento by offering Ben White in exchange. This strategy would serve multiple purposes: it would give White, a player of significant talent, the regular game time he deserves at a club still competing for Champions League football and silverware.
For Newcastle, losing Livramento would be a major blow, as manager Eddie Howe sees him as a cornerstone for the future and a potential England regular for the next decade. However, receiving a proven Premier League and England international like Ben White in return could soften the impact significantly. Crucially, it would also help Newcastle maintain their home-grown player quota for European competitions, easing a key administrative concern.
Newcastle's Stance and Contract Stalemate
The situation is complicated by Livramento's current contract negotiations. Speaking on the Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, former Premier League CEO Keith Wyness suggested the player has stalled on talks, creating a scenario similar to that of teammate Alexander Isak.
Wyness stated that Howe rates Livramento extremely highly and would 'like to almost build a team around him'. This indicates strong reluctance to sell, but a protracted contract standoff could force the club's hand. Any deal for one of England's most promising talents would command a substantial fee, making a player-plus-cash or straight swap arrangement potentially attractive for all parties involved.
While a January move remains complex, a proposal involving Ben White could be the key to unlocking negotiations for Tino Livramento, offering a solution that addresses the needs of both Arsenal and Newcastle United as they plan for the future.
