In a recent tweet, TuttoMercatoWeb journalist Gianluigi Longari has mentioned that Leicester City are ready to enter the race to land FC Porto playmaker Otavio. It is understood that the Foxes will have to battle it out with AS Roma, AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli in pursuit of the Brazilian attacker whose contract with the Portuguese club runs out at the end of this campaign.
Non soltanto la #Roma pensa ad #Otavio in scadenza di contratto con il #Porto. Sono pronte ad entrare nella contesa anche #Milan #Juventus e #Napoli in #Italia oltre al #Leicester #LCFC in #PremierLeague #transfers @tvdellosport #calciomercato
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) January 17, 2021
Otavio’s Excellent Form In Portuguese Football This Season
Otavio has experienced an impressive season at the Estádio do Dragão after producing a series of productive displays as the primary playmaker of Sérgio Conceição’s attack. The Brazilian midfielder has registered three goals and eight assists in 20 matches for Porto this term across multiple competitions.
The 25-year-old has influenced the game at both ends of the field as he is averaging 1.5 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 1.4 shots, 1.5 key passes and 2.7 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Liga NOS. He has even been tidy with his ball-distribution as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 80.9% in the Portuguese top tier (stats via whoscored).
The Brazilian sensation is currently free to come to a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club this month as his current deal with Porto is due to expire next summer which could open the door for the Foxes to seal a move for him on a free transfer.
What Will The Brazilian Attacker Add To Rodgers’ Side?
Otavio is a moderately paced midfielder who can complete some dangerous dribbles in the opposition half. He is proficient at taking on his marker and beating him off the dribble to create some decent goal-scoring opportunities in the attacking third. Otavio primarily operates in the number ten position but can also fill in as a wide player on either flank if required.
The Brazilian Under-23 international has the vision to play a decisive pass inside the opponent’s penalty box, which explains how he has picked up eight assists this season. He can even contribute by netting his fair share of goals from midfield.
Brendan Rodgers has currently got Harvey Barnes and James Maddison firing on all cylinders behind Jamie Vardy, who remains a lethal goal-scorer for the Foxes up top. However, the Leicester head coach can benefit from adding a new attacking midfielder like Otavio and play Maddison as an unorthodox winger out on the wide areas.
The Joao Pessoa-born talent will significantly bolster the quality of the East Midlands club’s first-team. Still, there are some question marks over whether Otavio can find a way to cope with the physical nature and high intensity of Premier League football. Either way, Rodgers should consider offering the Brazilian attacking midfielder a chance to shine at the King Power Stadium as his availability on a free transfer this summer makes him a low-risk acquisition for any of his potential suitors, including the Foxes.
