“True” – Player confirms Brighton’s approach in January, De Zerbi’s side could sign him in summer

Brighton & Hove Albion were one of the clubs who tried to sign VfL Wolfsburg’s Paulo Otávio in the winter market.

Operating mainly on the left side of defence and at times as a left wing-back, he’s made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, managing five assists in the process.

The Brazilian has a contract expiring in June and Brighton made an approach for him last month. This was revealed by the player himself during an interview with WAZ.

It’s claimed the 28-year-old is said to be demanding €3m per year to sign an extension, but the Bundesliga side are refusing to meet his request.

Responding to the claims of the salary demands, he said: “The figures that are circulating in public are not correct. I also asked myself how it is possible that such figures are even made public. That disappointed me.”

WAZ asked the fullback whether Brighton and OGC Nice were interested in signing him in January. Responding to that, Otávio explained: “That’s true, but I’m still here. A lot of clubs see that I’m on a free transfer in the summer. So, there is already one request for me that comes in.”

With a renewal unlikely at this point, Brighton could be given another opportunity to sign the South American in the summer.

“I want to be free in my head. The topic is on my mind. I want to perform well on the pitch and be able to ignore the topic,” the defender stressed.

“There is no such thing [deadline to decide future] for me. Whether I’ll stay or end up going – I really don’t know at the moment. But what I do know is: I will give everything for this club until the end.”

It remains to be seen whether Roberto De Zerbi’s side will return for Otávio after this season.