2 years ago
Due to Mohamed Salah's unclear future, LIVERPOOL may once again enter the transfer market.
Otavio, a Portugal international for Porto, is expected to fetch £34 million from Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah potentially leaving Anfield. The Reds have already added three players this summer in their effort to unseat Manchester City as the league's best team in 2019.
The Mirror reports that Porto anticipates Liverpool to increase their interest in Otavio after they turned down a £26 million deal from Leeds for the star player. The Portuguese champions predict that Liverpool will make an official offer in the upcoming week, and that it will be £8 million higher than what Leeds was willing to offer.
The player's agent has been in England to try to negotiate a transfer for his client; the Primeira Liga club is open to a deal for roughly £38 million.
Otavio has appeared in 237 games for Porto since joining them in 2016 from Vitoria Sport Clube. He can play anywhere in the middle of the field or across the frontline. Additionally, he has given his side 24 goals and 62 assists. He was in excellent form as Porto easily won the league title the previous season. Despite having started his career playing for Brazil at the age-group level, the 27-year-old was rewarded with seven caps for Portugal.
Mohamed Salah's future is uncertain, thus Liverpool might make another move in the transfer market. (Photo)
Since taking the helm of Liverpool in 2015, manager Jurgen Klopp has developed a competitive squad at Anfield. Additionally, the German has guided his team to victories in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, Champions League, and Premier League.
But earlier this week, his frontline was dismantled when Sadio Mane signed a three-year deal with Bayern Munich. Salah's contract is slated to expire next summer, therefore he might be the next player to leave after the Senegal international.
According to reports, Liverpool will offer £34 million for Otavio of Porto (Image)
After helping Salah develop into one of the top players in the world following his arrival from Roma five years ago, Klopp has been eager to lock Salah down to a new contract on Merseyside. The Egyptian international, however, is reportedly holding out for a salary of £400,000 per week, which is £160,000 more than Virgil van Dijk earns. He has refused to commit his future to the team. And it's now known that Liverpool would even let the forward to depart this summer if they get a £60 million deal.
Attackers Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho have already been wrested from Fulham and Benfica, respectively, by Klopp. And if the 55-year-old can get his hands on Otavio, he might simply think that Salah isn't necessary for the success of his team.
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