Liverpool must find a deal for £51m Portugal star before Arsenal wrap up their own major transfer – RTK View

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool must secure a deal for Otavio before Arsenal wrap-up Raphinha. The Reds reportedly want the Portugal star.

The Mirror reports that Liverpool want Otavio. In fact, Porto expect a bid next week that will likely be in the region of £34m.

Now, there have been reports linking Liverpool with Otavio for a year now. Correio da Manha first made the claim in June 2021 and every major Portuguese outlet eventually said there was interest. The most recent came from A Bola, who believed that Liverpool had the Porto playmaker on their shortlist.

We also know that the Reds have eyes on the Primeira Liga. They’ve signed both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez from there in 2022, after all – what’s one more?

And so there’s some real credibility here. Liverpool may see Otavio as the right player for them and the only real problem seems to be that they’re not alone in that. Leeds United have already bid, with Porto rejecting a £26m offer.

If Liverpool do want Otavio, they better do it before Leeds prepare their second.

Liverpool in race for Otavio deal

The Mirror’s report says that Liverpool would offer £34m but they also say that there’s a £51m release clause in there. We don’t think the club would actually pay that for Otavio – but Leeds might.

They could see it as their only real chance of beating Liverpool to the play and there’s a real chance that they’ll have the money to do it. That’s because, per the Athletic, Arsenal want Raphinha and that won’t be a cheap signing.

Leeds would need a replacement for their star player, too, and armed with a new war chest, that Otavio release clause doesn’t look bad. It’s actually fairly reasonable for a Premier League playmaker of top quality.

We do see Otavio as a good fit at Liverpool but not enough that he’d be a go-to starting XI player. £34m is just about doable, £51m is simply too much.

It benefits the club to find a deal quickly, then because if Arsenal sign Raphinha anytime soon, Otavio’s price could soar to that release clause.