LFC Transfer News: Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa prepare first offer for Liverpool target Otavio

According to Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol (ht Liverpool.com), Aston Villa are preparing an offer worth £26million in initial fees and £4.3million in add-ons for Liverpool and Leeds United target, Otavio Monteiro.

The Portuguese international has been linked with a move to the Reds recently but earlier this week, Liverpool Echo– as covered by TheKopTimes– ridiculed any links between Otavio and the Reds.

But it is now said that the Villans are preparing an offer for the ex-Internacional winger despite interest from the Reds as well as Leeds. He currently has a £34m release clause which could increase to £51m in the middle of this month.

Otavio is certainly talented. At 27, he is still in his prime years and is a regular fixture for the Dragons in Primeira Liga as well as the UEFA Champions League.

NO-tavio

Sure, the Reds can use a player like him down the right-hand side of their attack. But it remains to be seen if they hold a genuine interest in the player.

Nothing can be said for certain until clubs officially announce transfer deals. Although, the Reds would be better off going for some other player if they really want to replace Mohamed Salah in the long run.

The Egyptian’s contract expires next summer and he is yet to show any indication that he will renew it in the coming months. Now 30, Salah isn’t getting any younger.

The former Chelsea and AS Roma star has consistently been our main goal-scoring threat up front ever since the summer of 2017. It is hard to think that Otavio can fill in such big boots. It is better to let the Villans and the Whites fight over him for the time being.

More Liverpool News

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• Phil Thompson has urged Liverpool to sign a quality midfielder this summer

The Reds, hopefully, are sensible enough to realise that the next position where they must strengthen is central midfield and after that, addressing Salah’s future or signing his successor would be the next sensible task.