Liverpool’s interest in Porto midfielder Otávio is a story which is today featured by a few Portuguese outlets, with them all claiming that the Reds would like to sign the 26-year-old this summer.
Now there’s one specific newspaper talking about how unlikely this transfer would be. That’s O Jogo.
Their report highlights the importance Otávio has for the Dragons’ manager Sérgio Conceição, which is the reason why the club should fight hard to keep him this summer. They say it’s ‘almost impossible’ that a transfer happens, as an ‘irresistible offer’ would please Porto.
Well, the fact is that we all know exactly what offer that the Dragons wouldn’t be able to turn down. That’s the amount of his release clause, which has a discount this month.
Otávio’s contract says he can leave Porto for €60m, but in case the transfer happens in June, then €40m would be enough to take him from the club.
Some claims have even said the discount extends to July 15th.
However, Otávio has just returned to Portugal from Brazil. That means he’s in quarantine, and that would make things a lot harder for a transfer in the next couple of days.
It’s worth pointing out that despite O Jogo’s resistance, other Portuguese outlets are a little more confident of a move. Just yesterday, newspaper A Bola said the talks are ‘advanced’, and today it’s said Porto could demand only €20m for the sale.
Most outlets agree that Liverpool could end up getting a discount in case Marko Grujic, who spent last season on loan with the Dragons, is included in a deal.
