Otavio Monteiro
Otavio Monteiro began his European adventure with FC Porto in 2014 following a two-year spell at Internacional where he featured 39 times. The then 19-year-old was loaned out to neighbouring side, Vitoria Guimaraes to obtain further minutes, a deal that was valid for two seasons before being handed a revitalizing opportunity under now Wolves coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Two titles later and another one likely on the way with Porto currently sitting six points clear in the Portuguese league to second-placed rivals Benfica, Otavio (as he prefers to be referred to), may be on the lookout to broaden his horizons. With a year left on his contract, it is understood that the talks to renew the contract, ‘didn’t go well’ as his agent Jeronimo Soares reported to A Bola.
His agent, Soares declared – he will “hardly stay” at Porto. Awoken interests have been acknowledged from Europe such as German clubs, Sevilla, Lyon, Napoli and most recently joining the race, Wolves.
“From January, Otavio can sign for any other club. The price might vary from the previous years.”
Otavio’s form for Porto this season
With four games left of the 2019/20 term, Otavio has played a total of 3356 minutes in all competitions. In 27 games for the championship that he’s featured in thus far, the blue and whites have only been defeated three times, triumphing 20 times and drawing the remainder – with a goal and six assists along the way.
Maintaining a closer eye to the midfielder makes sense as Nuno is more than familiar with the 25-year-old’s playing abilities from when he managed the Dragons hitherto in the 2016/17 season who featured 23 times, providing an impressive 10 assists.
What can Otavio bring to Wolves?
A very agile and quick player known to complete dangerous dribbles with the ball out to wide areas and capable of performing on the right-wing, mainly in an attacking capacity – a position Wolves don’t really have covered in the squad.
He has also demonstrated to being versatile enough to fill in as a central midfielder throughout this season. Possessing flexibility, Porto’s number 25 has also switched to playing in the middle which any team can benefit from his creative influence as he is able to create the team’s game, adapting well to playing in distinctive positions such as on either flank.
Possessing strong strengths such as holding on to the ball, accurate passing, dribbling, tackling, key passes as well as contributing defensively. An addition to Wolves would add to the current midfielders’ strengths with particular characteristic such as ball interception, aerial duels, through balls and taking set-pieces. Nuno’s men will boost creativity to midfield and depth of the squad. Portuguese giants have made the most from his distinguished ball-distribution of 81.5% of attempted passes in the league and a further 2.3 dibbles per game, next to 1.8 key passes.
How much would Otavio cost Wolves?
The Brazilian is on Wolves’ radar ahead of the 2020/21 season with the believed valuation to be at £15m according to the Mirror but it’s no secret that Porto are in desperate need of cash due to poor financial management so there could be room for negotiation around that fee.
Otavio’s wage demands would also fit within Wolves’ salary budget. According to reports, Otavio is reportedly on just under £20,000 a week at Porto so a move to the Premier League would see him get a lucrative wage increase. It could prove to be a shrewd bit of business from Wolverhampton Wanderers for such a versatile player.
Bruna Reis is part of the Talking Wolves editorial team – you can follow her on Twitter here.