TEAMtalk reported that Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest are tracking Cruzeiro goalkeeper Otávio. The 20-year-old's contract includes a €100million (£84m) release clause for foreign clubs, although any movement is, for now, limited to scouting and tracking.
Otávio's rise at Cruzeiro
Otávio is a 20-year-old Brazilian who emerged from Cruzeiro’s academy. He seized a first-team opportunity created by an injury to veteran Cássio and has since established himself as Cruzeiro’s regular starter. Otávio has featured regularly for Cruzeiro, kept a series of clean sheets, earned a senior call-up to the Brazil national team and made his debut in a friendly against Australia.
Premier League interest
TEAMtalk reported that Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to have sent scouts to watch Otávio. Both Premier League clubs continue to monitor him closely as they assess long-term options between the posts. TEAMtalk also reported that Forest made a summer approach totalling around €13million (£11m), but Cruzeiro deemed the offer too poor and ended discussions.
Other clubs and contract terms
Napoli, FC Porto and Borussia Dortmund have also been confirmed on the list of clubs tracking Otávio’s progress. Borussia Dortmund have made enquiries about his contractual situation. In August, Cruzeiro extended Otávio’s contract until 2031 and inserted a €100million (£84m) release clause for foreign clubs. TEAMtalk reported that clubs will not have to pay the full release clause, but it will take an initial fee in the region of €25–30million (£21-25m) before Cruzeiro will open serious negotiations.
What happens next
TEAMtalk reported that earlier interest from Eintracht Frankfurt and Botafogo failed to progress. Cruzeiro are under no pressure to sell and Otávio remains focused on his duties at the Mineirão as the club chase domestic and continental objectives. A move to a top-five European league is on Otávio’s radar and the next two windows may present opportunities for that.