Liverpool have intensified efforts in recent days to sign Valencia winger David Otorbi, according to Tribuna Deportiva.
The Reds were even considering paying his €30 million release clause. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve struck a deal like that with the La Liga outfit.
Liverpool paid for Giorgi Mamardashvili and loaned him to the Spanish club before he joined them at the start of last season.
However, Valencia also want to extend his deal and prevent him from jumping ship to a bigger club like Liverpool.
They want to tie him down for three more years until 2031 and even double his release clause to €60 million.
Valencia have informed the Liverpool target this week of their plans following a breakout campaign in which he has made ten league appearances so far.
He has scored once, hit the woodwork once, and created two big chances.
Otorbi has emerged as one of the Spanish club’s most exciting academy prospects, which is saying something as they produced David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata.
Otorbi, aged 18 years and 360 days, became Valencia’s eighth-youngest La Liga scorer.
Liverpool are unsurprisingly not the only Premier League club that has taken note of his talents. Newcastle sent scouts to watch him weeks ago.
The Merseyside outfit could use another winger who operates primarily on the right, with their attack looking quite lopsided.
They lost Mohamed Salah and never replaced him properly. Not that Otorbi is that replacement, but he could be an understudy to whoever comes in.
That being said, his club will likely fight to keep him for a few more seasons. This gem might be even more valuable if polished a while longer.
Also, it makes more sense for him to stay put, develop, and evolve into a player who can shine immediately at a bigger club like Liverpool.