Numerous reports this summer have linked Liverpool with a move for Porto midfielder Otavio, but, sadly for the Reds, Fabrizio Romano recently poured cold water on these rumours.
Indeed, while some reports have stated that Liverpool have held talks with the Portuguese star, Romano has been told that no such negotiations are happening, and he laid out the story in a tweet.
Of course, the main takeaway from this tweet was the fact that Liverpool aren’t indeed in for Otavio, but another eye-catching facet of this story is the fact that Otavio has a €40m (£35m) release clause.
These days, £35m isn’t a lot in football. In context, the likes of Fred and Tanguy Ndombele cost considerably more than that figure, and there’s reason to believe that Otavio could be better than both.
Described as a ‘very complete’ player, Otavio has been a revelation for Porto in recent times, grabbing no fewer than 13 league assists in last season’s title-winning campaign, the third season in a row that the midfielder has notched up double-figures in terms of assists in all competitions for his club.
Otavio may not be a player that Liverpool are actively trying to sign, but, in our view, he should be, especially at that price.
Think about it, Liverpool need to revamp their midfield. In fact, according to The Times, they’re actively planning a midfield revamp in 2023, so why not accelerate those plans to get Otavio before the likes of Leeds and Aston Villa swoop?
The midfielder has proven his brilliance in Portugal, and we know that’s a market that the Reds love to dip into, signing Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz from Benfica and Porto lately.
Factor in that the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias have also taken to the Premier League like ducks to water lately, and you can see that scouting Portugal for top talents can pay off royally.
Otavio is one of the best midfielders in Liga Portugal right now, and at £35m, he’d be a coup for any side.
Liverpool aren’t in for Otavio just this second, but they may well want to get involved in this race.
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