Arsenal making a summer swoop for Southampton fullback Tino Livramento is now seemingly off the cards as a horror injury has left the youngster set to be sidelined for the next nine months.
Livramento was among the Gunners’ targets for the summer, with right-back identified as an area in which they need to upgrade in their squad following the mixed performances of Cedric Soares in Takehiro Tomiyasu’s long absence.
However, the England U21 international suffered an awful-looking injury in his side’s 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, which resulted in him needing to be stretchered off the pitch at the Amex Stadium.
And, it has now emerged that he has suffered suspected ACL damage, meaning that he could be sidelined for up to nine months as he looks to recover, in what will come as a bitter blow for the former Chelsea U23 captain as he looked to end a strong first season in the Premier League in style with the Saints.
Southampton full-back Tino Livramento expected to miss 8-9 months of action after sustaining suspected ACL damage in 2-2 draw at Brighton. First called by @AdrianJKajumba. Arsenal had been monitoring his progress closely but any summer move now off cards. #SaintsFC #AFC
— Ryan Taylor (@RyanTaylorSport) April 26, 2022
The news has seemingly stopped any chance of Arsenal making a move for the youngster this summer too.
Where else do Arsenal need to strengthen?
It is going to be another big transfer window in Mikel Arteta’s rebuild of Arsenal, with the attack needing to be strengthened. Both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract this summer and set to depart, meaning that in all likelihood two new strikers will need to join the north London outfit.
Additionally, they will be targeting another midfielder, as well as the aforementioned backup right-back, while should the purse strings stretch they may also be in the hunt for a backup centre-back.
It will certainly be an exciting summer at the Emirates Stadium.
