Liverpool reportedly remain keen on securing the services of FC Porto star Otavio, who could leave the club in the summer.
According to A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool are among the clubs keeping tabs on Otavio. The Premier League giants have been monitoring the progress of the 27-year-old for a while and intend to make a move after the end of the season.
There appears to be no shortage of suitors for the services of the FC Porto attacker. But the player is protected by a hefty €60 million release clause, though it won’t be surprising to see the Portuguese giants demand a lower amount if they are to offload him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
A right midfielder by trade, Otavio is a utility player who can play almost anywhere in the attacking department. He has been an influential figure at Porto in recent years due to his ability to create chances and set up goals in the final third.
The 27-year-old has mostly operated on the right-hand side this season, racking up an impressive 12 assists in just 25 league matches. His ability to provide width and creativity out wide has played a key role in helping FC Porto emerge as the front-runners in the race for the Liga Primeira title.
Otavio’s spell at Porto, though, could soon come to an end, with Liverpool considering a move in the summer transfer window. It appears the Reds have been left impressed by his qualities out wide and seek his services as a potential backup for Mohamed Salah, who himself is facing an uncertain future at the club.
Liverpool have done business with FC Porto lately, bringing in Luis Diaz during the January transfer window. It has turned out to be a solid investment as the Colombian has hit the ground running since arriving at Anfield.
Given Diaz’s immense success, it won’t be surprising to see FC Porto trying to squeeze a bit more out of Liverpool with the promise of Otavio enjoying similar success in the English top-flight. The Reds, though, are set to face stiff competition from other top clubs across Europe in the pursuit of the creative attacker.
Perhaps a lot will depend on whether or not Porto opt to hold out for the player’s €60 million release clause, which could make him seemingly unaffordable for any club in Europe right now.
