If a recent report from Portuguese outlet A Bola is believed to be true, Liverpool have set their sights on Porto ace Otavio over a potential summer swoop. But they are not alone in the hunt as the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle United are also keeping close tabs on the 27-year-old attacker.
The Reds hit the jackpot back in winter by hijacking the Luis Diaz deal from Tottenham Hotspur. The former Porto winger has been an instant success in Liverpool colours and the Merseysiders are now plotting another raid on the Primeira Liga giants.
Meanwhile, he is not the only Porto player they are assessing at this moment. According to O Jogo, Vitinha is on their radar too and the Reds, therefore, might undergo a busy summer in terms of transfer activities.
Despite featuring for Brazil U20s, Otavio switched his allegiance to Portugal a year ago and earned his maiden senior cap back in September in a friendly fixture versus Qatar. He delivered a match-winning display over Turkey on Thursday night in the crucial World Cup qualifier and the attacker must exhibit yet another masterclass on Tuesday night against North Macedonia in the playoff final.
Born in Brazil, Otavio progressed through the youth setup of Santa Cruz and Internacional before breaking into the latter’s senior side. He joined Porto back in 2014 as a free agent and eventually earned a key role under Sergio Conceição due to his flexibility and work rate. A loan spell at Vitória de Guimarães helped him develop his skills in new surroundings soon after his transfer.
Should Liverpool Step Up The Chase?
Although he has mostly featured as a right midfielder so far this campaign, a ‘number 10’ role also suits his game considering his creative spark, vision and the defence-splitting through balls from an advanced midfield slot. Liverpool never opted for an attacking midfielder since Philippe Coutinho’s controversial move to Barcelona, however, the arrival of Otavio would see them have one in their ranks going forward. He has scored 24 goals and laid on 61 assists in 228 appearances for his current club and the all-round ability he holds should enrich the English giants high up the pitch.
Amid the ongoing conundrum over Mohamed Salah’s contract, the Reds should listen to offers for the Egyptian in the summer if an extension can’t be agreed upon. Jurgen Klopp must explore other options to bolster the frontline and it remains to be seen whether this speculation gathers pace in the coming days given the player’s £50m buyout clause.
