Aston Villa would have to pay a large fee to sign Porto and Portugal winger Otávio this summer.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about Villa’s potential transfer business during the final weeks of the window.
Otávio, who has been praised as being “phenomenal” by Portuguese journalist Alex Goncalves, has been a target of Steven Gerrard’s for the majority of the summer window, and this interest has been intensified after Portuguese media outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness) reported that there were Villa scouts at last weekend’s match between Porto and Sporting watching the winger, with a view to potentially signing the 27-year-old.
The link comes after the West Midlands club’s move for Watford and Senegal winger Ismaïla Sarr broke down, with the wide-man being unable to agree personal terms, amongst other issues with the deal.
And O’Rourke believes that it will take a big fee to let Porto part with Otávio this summer.
He said: “I think it’d be a big fee for Aston Villa because Porto don’t really want to lose him.
“It’s going to be an interesting one to see what Villa do for attacking reinforcements before the window closes.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments
We believe that Otávio would be a fantastic signing for Gerrard this summer, and will be a much-needed boost for the club after seemingly letting the Sarr deal slip through their fingers.
The seven-cap Portugal international was a regular provider of goals and assists last season, scoring five goals and providing 15 assists in 49 appearances for Porto last season, according to Transfermarkt.
Therefore, we believe that if Otávio could transfer his form from Portugal to the Premier League, he could play a big part in Villa’s aspirations for a more successful campaign than last season.