Leicester City have made an offer for Porto’s title-winning playmaker Otavio but face competition from Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.
With every club hit hard by a financial crisis that has rippled through the European game, it’s no wonder Otavio is in such high demand.
The 25-year-old Brazilian can be snapped up for nothing in the summer, with his contract expiring in July.
Napoli, Juventus, Roma and league-leaders Milan are all clamouring for Otavio’s signature, according to reports in Italy.
An offer has also arrived from Leicester – although it’s hard to see how the former Internacional lock-picker fits into Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI, especially as Youri Tielemans and James Maddison appear to be in it for the long haul at the King Power Stadium.
Then again, Otavio isn’t a bad player to have at your disposal. Technically gifted and hugely adaptable, the forward-thinking midfielder can play almost anywhere in midfield as well as doing a job out wide.
Otavio produced 15 assists as Porto grabbed the Primeira Liga title from the clutches of bitter rivals Benfica last season.
“Otavio is now more mature and complete,” his former Internacional coach Abel Braga tells A Bola.
“Otavio, playing at home or away, whether against a big or a small club, the attitude is the same.
“FC Porto should make a sacrifice to keep him. You can’t lose a player like this (for free).”
The Mirror (28 June, page 49) reported last year that Porto wanted £15 million for Otavio. But, after failing to tie him down to a new deal, they now face losing their star midfielder for nothing.
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