Eddie Howe explains why £30m deal was a transfer priority for Newcastle

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Newcastle United moved quickly to sign Tino Livramento.

Indeed, the club are not thought to have entered the summer transfer window necessarily targeting a right-back.

Having signed Harrison Ashby as a back-up to Kieran Trippier in January, Eddie Howe already had a promising option there.

Still, Newcastle are believed to have altered their plans to bring the “excellent” young prospect to St James’ Park for a reported £30m when he became available.

Given Ashby’s signing only months before and the fact Newcastle are working under FFP constraints this summer, many may be wondering why Howe opted to strengthen a position not exactly in dire need of it.

Now, the Toon boss has provided an update.

Eddie Howe explains why Tino Livramento was a priority this summer

Indeed, speaking of the defender during Friday’s pre-match press conference, Howe explained why Livramento was deemed a priority.

Howe said (via the Shields Gazette): “It was a priority position for us and an area that we needed to strengthen.

“Hopefully he can play different roles. I think he’s played left-back before and I think naturally most right-backs can move over to the other side – it’s more difficult for left-backs it seems.

“I think he could possibly play wide for us as well but we’ll predominantly use him as a right back, that will be his primary position.”

This is a win-win transfer for both Newcastle and the player

Amid an acceptance that Trippier will not be able to play every game next season, this is a perfect deal for Newcastle.

Livramento is said to be happy to play something of a back-up role during his first season as he recovers from a long-term injury while getting up to speed with Howe’s method, albeit there will be game time as Newcastle battle across four fronts.

To have that understanding while being able to rely on a talented young player to afford Trippier a rest will be so important during the arduous campaign ahead.

While other positions do need strengthening and FFP does not make things easy, Livramento’s signing is a logical one.