Liverpool want Otavio and have now opened talks to try and bring the Porto winger to Anfield despite links with a move to Leeds United.
The Reds have raided the Portuguese market twice in 2022 as they look to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
First it was Porto winger Luis Diaz in January before Liverpool snapped up Benfica striker Darwin Nunez earlier this month.
After Manchester City had success raiding Portuguese football for Ederson and Ruben Dias, Liverpool are doing the same – and could add another player yet.
Liverpool want Otavio
Reports from The Mirror over the weekend suggested that Porto were expecting a bid from Liverpool this week for Otavio.
It was suggested that Otavio’s agent had travelled to England to try and thrash out a move to an English club.
Most will have expected this to be Leeds United. Reports in Portugal suggested that Leeds had failed with a €30million (£26million) bid for the winger.
Leeds remain keen on Otavio as they prepare for star winger Raphinha to leave the club this summer.
Yet the Liverpool rumours are now taking another step forward as Jornal de Noticias claim that Otavio’s agent has been speaking to the Reds.
It’s stated that Liverpool have rekindled their interest in Otavio having looked into signing him before moving for Diaz.
This may be a tactic to get Leeds to pay up for Otavio, especially given that Liverpool links now seem a little strange.
The signing of Nunez means Liverpool have the Uruguayan as well as Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in attacking areas.
Add in Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho and Liverpool are unlikely to be going for another attacker this summer.
Otavio is a hugely talented player; 14 assists in a title-winning campaign last season show that.
Yet at 27 he doesn’t really fit Liverpool’s usual recruitment strategy and we can’t see the Reds making a move.
A switch to Leeds ultimately seems more likely if Raphinha does go, though convincing him to drop out of the Champions League may be a battle.
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