HERE WE GO: Leeds United out to sign Porto star with £42m release clause for a bargain £8m fee

Leeds United out to sign Porto star with £42m release clause for a bargain £8m fee

Leeds United continue to be linked with new names every day and the latest player said to be on the club’s radar is a Porto defender – but The Whites have competition.

 

Certainly, there is a need for additions in the middle of the Leeds defence. Joe Rodon starts regardless of who is brought in this summer, but it is more who partners the Welshman under manager Daniel Farke.

 

 

Pascal Struijk is first choice, but only when fit and in the last couple of seasons, that has been largely 50-50. Cover comes in the form of Ethan Ampadu and Max Wober, though Wober is expected to leave Leeds.

 

Farke would prefer Ampadu in midfield, rather than having to bring the skipper back into defence. Leeds then, need another top-quality centre-back and possibly two – and Porto’s Otavio is now on the list.

 

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Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Leeds battling Fulham and Palace for Porto defender Otavio

French outlet Team Football say Lille are leading the charge to land Brazilian defender Otavio, who has been somewhat indifferent since his move to Porto from Familicao. Porto will cash in for a fee of £8m.

 

This is for a player that has a release clause in his contract worth a staggering £42m, as per O Jogo. The report claims Leeds have been watching Otavio ‘for months’ while Fulham have sent scouts to watch.

 

Crystal Palace are also interested in signing him, with Porto president Andre Villas-Boas willing to cash in on Otavio. It is believed the player is open to a move that provides him with stability moving forward.

 

Photo by Octavio Passos – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Photo by Octavio Passos – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Otavio birthday party caused a stir back in April

There is a question mark regarding Otavio’s attitude. The defender held a party for his birthday in April, only a couple of days before Porto were in action – and some of his teammates attended the bash.

 

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It led to Porto manager Martin Anselmi having to discuss it in press conferences. Certainly, if Leeds are to do a deal for Otavio, instances like this cannot be allowed to happen amid a fight for top-flight survival.