Leicester City target Otavio has turned down contract offers from AC Milan and Vancouver Whitecaps as he weighs up his future away from FC Porto, as reported by Sic Noticias.
Given that the Brazilian is the sort of player capable of turning one point into three, a Leicester side who stumbled to a frustrating draw away at Everton on Wednesday night may be tempted to step up their pursuit before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Brendan Rodgers’ side struggled to pierce Carlo Ancelotti’s Catenaccio-inspired rear-guard at Goodison Park despite the best efforts of the electrifying Harvey Barnes and the masterful Youri Tielemans.
But it remains to be seen whether Leicester channel their frustration into a bid for a tenacious, technically-gifted attacking midfielder who accumulated 15 assists and 16 yellow cards as Porto won the Primeira Liga title last season.
Tuttomercatoweb reports that the Foxes are interested in Otavio, who will be a free agent at the end of this season.
Yet Leicester are far from the only interested party.
Sic Noticias backs up claims from A Bola, stating that Otavio has turned down the chance to swap Europe for Canada, rejecting a £28,000-a-week offer from MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps.
He was similarly unconvinced by the chance to join Serie A title-challengers AC Milan on a four-year contract worth £34,000-a-week, turning down a contract put on the table by Rossoneri technical director Paolo Maldini.
Otavio is demanding closer to £50,000-a-week; a figure that should be within Leicester’s budget given the riches on offer in the Premier League.
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