Leeds United are reportedly ready to make an improved €40 million bid for FC Porto winger Otavio after their first offer of €30 million was rejected.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola, Leeds United are set to launch a fresh bid for Otavio after their initial offer of €30 million was rejected by FC Porto.
Otavio has been with Porto since 2014, when he arrived from Brazilian outfit Internacional. The winger spent one and a half seasons out on loan at Vitoria Guimaraes between February 2015 and June 2016. After that, the 27-year-old has established himself as a mainstay in the starting XI for Porto, amassing 237 appearances in which he has scored 24 times and assisted 62 goals.
Otavio played a key role in Porto’s title triumph this past season, finishing with three goals and 13 assists from 32 league matches. And his performances have helped the Portuguese international attract interest from clubs in Europe, with teams in the Premier League giving particular attention to the winger.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United were credited with an interest in Otavio in the recent past. Everton, too, have lodged an enquiry for the 27-year-old wide midfielder, and now Leeds United are the latest team to make their interest in the FC Porto mainstay known.
Leeds United have made a sprightly start to the transfer window, having signed Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen from Red Bull Salzburg and Marc Roca from Bayern Munich. But plenty of business remains to be done, with the Whites exploring the market for a new striker and a new winger.
Manager Jesse Marsch is sweating over the future of star winger Raphinha, who is a target for Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian international was key to Leeds’s survival in the Premier League, and replacing him will be difficult. But a seasoned campaigner like Otavio, with plenty of experience at the highest level, can be a solid signing.
The Brazil-born winger is in his peak years at 27 and can help Leeds fill the void that would be left by Raphinha’s departure. To that end, the Yorkshire-based outfit launched an offer of €30 million for Otavio, but it was swiftly rejected by Porto.
But that has not discouraged Leeds United, who are now set to return with an improved offer of €40 million for the Portuguese international. The report adds that the Whites are not the only Premier League club interested in Otavio. But they have shown the most desire to land the wide midfielder’s services. And it will be interesting to see if the €40 million bid is enough for Porto to allow Otavio to join Leeds United.
