Liverpool is now making a second attempt to sign a £52 million player, with talks currently underway
Otavio's agent is in Liverpool for face-to-face talks about his client joining The Reds.
According to the Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias. They claim that the parties' negotiations 'could be successful.'
Jurgen Klopp is said to be leading Liverpool's interest in the Porto player, having tried to sign him last summer as well.
However, the 27-year-old is unlikely to be cheap. According to Jornal de Noticias, Otavio's release clause increased from £34.3m to more like £51.5m after June 15th.
Leeds United are also said to be interested in the Portugal international. Otavio, on the other hand, is said to be uninterested in joining the Yorkshire club. Leeds' most recent bid of £25.7 million was reportedly rejected.
Time is not on Otavio's side for a move to Liverpool.
Liverpool's interest in Otavio was reported last year, so this story isn't out of the blue.
However, it appears unlikely that Liverpool would spend such a large sum on a player who will turn 28 next season.
Perhaps it's a shame that The Reds appear to have a cut-off age for new signings.
The notion that a player is 'too old' to be brought in once he turns twenty-six or twenty-seven makes intuitive sense.
However, it appears that by enforcing such a criterion, Liverpool will miss out on many suitable players.
Otavio is unquestionably one of these players.
Last season, he was one of the best players in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Liverpool have already signed Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz from Portugal, and he has the potential to make it a hat-trick.
The Reds are reportedly preparing an offer for Otavio, who can play on either wing or in midfield but was most at ease on Porto's right flank last season. He could be ideal for Liverpool as they look for someone to relieve the pressure on their midfield and on Mohamed Salah.
It's not impossible that Liverpool has identified him for both of those roles. However, the Reds Simply put, don't spend more than £40 million on squad players.
It might have been a possibility if Otavio had been two or three years younger. Unfortunately, it now appears to be much less likely.
Nonetheless, it was reported yesterday that Liverpool is preparing a £34 million bid. Let's see if there's anything to get excited about.
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