Jurgen Klopp has made an 'express request' for Liverpool to sign Porto midfielder Otavio this summer.
The Reds are in the market for a Gini Wijnaldum replacement, having recently lost the Dutchman on a free transfer to PSG.
Liverpool have been linked with the likes of Borussia Monchengladbach's Florian Neuhaus and Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, but a new name has now emerged as a potential target.
Portuguese outlet A Bola have reported that the departure of Otavio could be imminent’ after Liverpool ‘advanced forcefully’ to secure the services of the 26-year-old.
The report adds that Klopp is a ‘confessed lover’ of the attacking midfielder and has made an ‘express request’ to the Reds' transfer chiefs, in the hope of striking a deal.
Liverpool have only two days left to trigger his €40m (£34m) release clause, which is set to increase to €60m (£51m) should the Premier League side fail to act.
The Brazilian scored five goals and registered eight assists for Porto last campaign as his side missed out on the title by five points to Sporting Lisbon.
Liverpool and Porto are likely to be good on terms ahead of a possible transfer for Otavio, having worked together to arrange a loan deal for Marko Grujic last season.
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The Serbian midfielder has spent the last four campaigns away from Anfield and developed into a key player for the Portuguese side during his spell with the club.
Grujic helped Porto reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League and is likely to be moved on by Liverpool this summer, having been signed from Red Star Belgrade in 2016.
There is the possibility that the 25-year-old could be used as part of a swap deal, though Portuguese newspaper Record believe that any deal for Otavio would not involve Grujic.
Asked if he had discussed his future with Klopp during an interview earlier this year with Serbian news outlet Kurir, Grujic said: "Of course. I believe that they believe in me.
"In every conversation, whether it's Klopp or one of the directors, they always remind me that I am a player of great potential.
"But when I get into the system I don't get a chance. It confuses me a little."
