Premier League sides Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all showing interest in FC Porto’s Otavio.
According to Portuguese publication A Bola (via Sport Witness), Premier League giants Liverpool have rekindled their interest in Porto winger Otavio. The Reds had been linked with the Portuguese in the last couple of transfer windows, but this time, they face competition from Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Otavio joined Porto in 2016 and has since made 236 appearances for the club, scoring 24 and assisting 62 goals. He has been highly impressive this season in the right-wing role and has racked up five goals and 13 assists for Porto, forcing bigger European clubs to take notice.
As per the A Bola report, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle have all sent scouts to watch the 27-year-old, who will still have three years remaining on his contract with Porto after the current season. But it looks unlikely that the Portuguese giants will be able to hold on to him if any of the three aforementioned English sides make a serious approach.
All the three interested parties have been impressed by Otavio’s performances this season and believe he fits the profile of players they are looking at this summer. It has been reported that the Portuguese has a €60 million release clause in his contract.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were linked with a move for the midfielder in the past as well, with reports claiming that they made an offer. However, they ultimately signed Luis Diaz from Porto, who has been a big hit at Anfield. But with the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane being as they are, it would bode well for Liverpool to add another quality wide attacker, making Otavio a viable target.
Manchester United are targeting a wide player in the transfer market as well, with Ajax’s Antony emerging as one of the top targets. The Brazilian has played under Erik ten Hag in the Dutch league and could be tempted to join his former manager at Old Trafford. But, with competition for the Brazilian intense, it makes sense for the Red Devils to keep their options open, with Otavio emerging as an alternative.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are preparing for a summer overhaul with new owners at the helm. They are ready to spend big in the upcoming window and have been linked with a host of players across positions. Given their overreliance on Allan Saint-Maximin to provide the spark from the flanks, adding another player like Otavio, who can chip in with goals and assists would be a shrewd move.
With the Portuguese international having a €60 million release clause, it remains to be seen if any of Liverpool, Manchester United or Newcastle opt to trigger it in the summer.
