View: Porto genius Otavio is a must-buy for Aston Villa
Despite the signing of Philippe Coutinho, Aston Villa have lacked a definitive creative spark for some time but they could change all of that.
Maisfutebol reported on Wednesday 22 June that the Villans had a bid of £25.7million rejected by Portuguese champions Porto for talented midfielder Otavio.
His release clause is currently £34.3million but that will increase dramatically to £51.5million once July comes around but Steven Gerrard should not be waiting that long to make his decision.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a fabulous season in the Primeira League with 11 assists to his name as well as three goals of his own and that is the kind of return we need in our arsenal.
It’s easy when you watch his best bits to see why Porto are likely to demand so much money because he can do things very few in world football are able to even consider let alone pull off.
He does it for Portugal too as he showed against Turkey with a simply delightful floated cross to Diogo Jota at the back post that most players would not have the audacity to try.
Most mortals would take the easy option and play the ball out wide to the full-back in space but that is what the defence wants and Otavio, knowing exactly that, chooses not to do that and attempts the outrageous instead, to great effect.
It’s never a one-off though with the Portuguese international as he also produces magic moments for Porto almost every single game.
Against Famalicao here, his timing of a through ball under pressure is exemplary and the weight of pass was so good that the onrushing winger did not have to break stride before firing in first time.
This, though, is the genius that Aston Villa are desperate for and something that would get replayed over and over again on Match of the Day if he did in in the famous claret and blue.
Surrounded by defenders, Otavio has the presence of mind and sheer brilliance to scoop the ball over the top of defenders and into the path of his teammate, again weighted perfectly, whereas most players would have panicked.
In other Aston Villa news, these two strikers are both piquing the interest of a recently relegated side as they look to bounce back to the top flight.