Leeds United may have to pay Otavio's £50m+ release clause to sign him from FC Porto. 

That's according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola (via Sport Witness).

The lowdown

Leeds apparently made a bid in the region of €30m (£25.9m) for Otavio, but this was promptly rejected.

The 27-year-old played most of his football (43 matches) on the right flank last season, but he also has plenty of experience in central roles. He could duly be a replacement for Raphinha, who is expected to leave Elland Road if Leeds' £60m demands are met, as per The Athletic.

The Mirror claimed at the weekend that Otavio's agent is in England to thrash out a deal for his client, but an agreement between the two clubs will be necessary first.

The latest

A Bola claimed (via Sport Witness) that Otavio's contract includes a release clause worth around €60m (£51.7m).

The Portuguese outlet also suggested that Porto will point interested clubs towards that figure if they want to sign the Brazil-born maestro rather than doing business for a lower fee.

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The verdict

In theory, Leeds could use the £60m that they hope to receive for Raphinha to cover the cost of a move for Otavio. They are also set to bank up to £45million from the imminent sale of Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City.

The deal should therefore be viable for the Whites, even if it would nearly double their existing record transfer outlay.

It's not hard to understand why Porto might demand the full amount for Otavio, as he set up 11 goals in last season's Primeira Liga, ranking him fifth among all players in the Portuguese top flight.

He also earned a place in the division's Team of the Season, another reflection of his class.