Premier League newcomers Burnley can now sign Paulo Otavio on a free transfer this summer with the Brazilian confirming that he is saying ‘goodbye’ to Bundesliga outfit VFL Wolfsburg.
Vincent Kompany’s Clarets will face no shortage of competition in pursuit of Otavio.
Real Mallorca, Al Saad, Besiktas and CKSA Moscow, among others, are also fawning over an experienced left-back who has spent the last four seasons at the Volkswagen Arena, according ot UOL.
Promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt, however, could give Burnley an advantage over many of their rival suitors.
Otavio, according to UOL, is high on Kompany’s summer wishlist, alongside Croatia international Luka Ivanusec and Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The 28-year-old’s contract expires in July. And he will not be signing a new one.
Burnley can sign Bundesliga ace Paulo Otavio on a free transfer
“My time in Wolfsburg was very nice,” Otavio tells the club’s official website. “And saying goodbye is really not easy for me. But I have decided to take a new path in my career.
“VfL gave me the opportunity to establish myself at the highest level in the Bundesliga. I would like to thank those responsible for the trust and wish the club every success for the future.”
Otavio, who joined from Ingolstadt in 2019, has five assists in Germany’s top flight this season. He could replace Ian Maatsen at Turf Moor; the Chelsea loanee due to return to his parent club at the end of the current campaign.
“We were in an open and honest exchange with Paulo,” adds Wolfsburg’s sporting director, Marcel Schafer.
“In the talks we had, however, we never got together (and reached an agreement). We would like to thank Paulo for a successful time together and wish him and his family all the best.”
Otavio is currently unavailable due to an ankle problem. One which kept him out of Wolfsburg’s 5-1 thrashing of relegation-threatened Bochum last time out.
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