Aston Villa have reportedly been told the price they will have to pay to land FC Porto winger Otavio, amid suggestions that they are set to submit a bid for the Portugal international.

What's the word?

According to Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness), the Midlands club are the 'latest interested' party hoping to land the 27-year-old, with the Brazil-born gem set to be available for a fee of around €40m (£35m) owing to a release clause in his existing contract.

The report outlines that the figure will rise to €60m (£52m) on 15 July, with the Primeira Liga champions under no pressure to sell, having already seen promising starlet Fabio Vieira join Arsenal this summer in a £30m deal.

This follows recent reports which suggest that Villa are set to bid of around €30m (£25.8m) in the coming days, with the seven-cap international also the subject of interest from fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Leeds United.

Imagine him and Coutinho

Despite that stern competition, Villa manager Steven Gerrard will be hopeful of pulling off yet another marquee addition this summer, having already secured four major deals in the current transfer window to help bolster his ranks.

One of those confirmed captures has seen Philippe Coutinho sign on a £17m permanent deal from Barcelona after his recent loan spell at Villa Park, just over four-and-a-half years on from having arrived at Camp Nou in a £142m move from Anfield.

That statement signing follows what was an impressive temporary stint for the Brazilian, as he chipped in with five goals and three assists in 19 top-flight appearances during the second half of last season.

The "creative genius" - as described by former Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson - looks set to be the man to help take the Villans to that next level, having already showcased his talents in the final third.

The 30-year-old can't do it alone, however, hence the need for further attacking recruits such as Otavio to help supplement the attack, with the £27m-rated gem another who can provide that creative spark to help unlock opposition defences.

In 237 games in all competitions for his current club, the £32k-per-week playmaker has chipped in with 24 goals and 62 assists thus far, proving to be a versatile asset who can feature anywhere in attack or even in a deeper-lying midfield role.

That impressive tally includes a haul of three goals and 11 assists in the Portuguese top flight during the 2021/22 campaign, as Sergio Conceicao's side stormed to a league title triumph, with the 5 foot 8 star also averaging an impressive 2.3 key passes per game and creating 17 big chances.

In a defensive sense, the "phenomenal" talent - as dubbed by Alex Goncalves - has also proven his worth, averaging 3.2 tackles and winning possession 1.3 times per match from his 32 league outings, all of which came as starts.

The dynamic midfielder would add both silk and steel to Gerrard's side, and it's simply thrilling to imagine the damage that both he and Coutinho could inflict were they to be paired together next term.

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