Transfer News: Liverpool offer €23m plus Marko Grujic for Otavio
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have made an offer to secure the services of Brazilian attacking midfielder Otavio from FC Porto.
Otavio, 26, has been with Porto since 2014 and has grown into a permanent fixture in the starting lineup in recent years. The Brazilian, who can play almost anywhere in the final third, but has largely been used on the left-wing, has nearly 200 appearances for the Portuguese giants and has won five trophies during his time at Estadio do Dragao.
Following a decent 2020/21 season, during which he was directly involved in 17 goals (5 goals, 12 assists), Otavio has registered on the radars of Liverpool. In fact, the Reds are now offering a fee of €23m plus the transfer of Marko Grujic in exchange for the Brazilian star. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
Grujic, of course, had spent the last season on loan at FC Porto, who are interested in making his transfer permanent. However, they do not want to mix up the two deals and keep the Otavio transfer separate from the Grujic deal.
Liverpool, though, are pressing on the player-plus-cash deal, even as Porto push them to pay the Brazilian’s current release clause amount, which stands at €40m, but will rise up to €60m after tomorrow, i.e., June 30.
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Given how Otavio can play on either flank or as a No. 10, his addition would help Jurgen Klopp add more depth in the final third. At the same time, Liverpool would also be getting rid of a player that is not in the plans of the manager at the moment.
A deal, therefore, sounds good. But whether Porto are willing to change their stance on the matter remains to be seen. Not long left before Otavio’s release clause increases.
