Liverpool have made the first move in their attempts to bring Otavio to Anfield this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by Portuguese publication A Bola (via Sport Witness), who claim that Jurgen Klopp's side have made an offer of €23m (£20m) plus Marko Grujic for the FC Porto attacking midfielder.

However, the report goes on to state that Porto have no intention of agreeing a deal for Otavio that includes the Liverpool midfielder, and instead have informed the Reds that they will have to pay Otavio's €40m (£34m) release clause if they wish to sign the 26-year-old this summer.

Coutinho 2.0

Considering just how impressive Otavio was for Porto last season, it is unsurprising to learn of Liverpool's interest in the former Brazil U23 international.

Indeed, over his 26 Liga NOS appearances for Sergio Conceicao's side last term, the £21.6m-rated man scored three goals, registered eight assists and created eight big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.4 shots and making 1.7 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £29k-per-week midfielder earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.30, ranking him as Porto's third-best performer in the top flight of Portuguese football.

There are clear comparisons that can be drawn between the 26-year-old and Liverpool former star attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho, with Otavio's strengths being noted as his ball control, his playmaking and his consistency, traits that have also been attributed to the Barcelona player.

Indeed, the two players are also capable of operating from a number of positions across the front line and midfield, with Otavio having been fielded from left, central, right and attacking midfield, as well as at left-wing and as a support striker last season.

As such, if Liverpool do go on to get a deal over the line for the Porto star this summer, Klopp would be gaining a type of player he has not really possessed since the sale of Coutinho back in 2018, with Otavio very much appearing to be a talent that the German manager would love.

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