Liverpool are keeping tabs on highly rated Valencia forward David Otorbi ahead of a potential swoop, according to Football Insider.
Although Valencia have not won the LaLiga title since 2004 and have struggled to return to their former heights, failing to finish above ninth place in any of the last seven seasons, the Blanquinegros have continued to produce some outstanding talents who have gone on to make a significant impact at the highest levels of Spanish and European football.
Jordi Alba, David Silva and Raúl Albiol are among the most successful players to have emerged from the club’s academy, while José Gayà, Ferran Torres and Javi Guerra are among the more recent graduates who are making their mark in professional football.
Some of the most exciting current generation of talents are also from Valencia’s academy, including the likes of Arsenal’s Cristhian Mosquera and PSV’s Yarek Gasiorowski.
Valencia Academy’s latest success story is Otorbi, who holds the record as the club’s youngest-ever first-team debutant at 16 years, 02 months, and 22 days.
He has made nine appearances this season, scoring one goal, and his performances have piqued the interest of several clubs.
One of the clubs now interested in Otorbi is Liverpool, according to Football Insider, which claims the Reds are keeping tabs on the 19-year-old.
Prospect
The Reds are looking to recruit some of the best emerging prospects in the world and view the right winger as a player with a ‘huge ceiling’, according to the report.
Football Insider adds that the 19-year-old’s displays this season have piqued the interest of Liverpool, who are doing their ‘homework’ on the youngster with the aim of launching a swoop for him in the future.
Although Otorbi has a £30m release clause in his contract, recent reports suggest Valencia are looking to increase his valuation to £50m amid interest from Liverpool, the report adds.
Alongside their efforts to improve the senior squad, Liverpool have made a concerted effort in recent transfer windows to bring in young players with the potential to develop into first-team regulars.
Rio Ngumoha was one of the notable arrivals, joining from Chelsea, while Senegalese prospect Mor Talla Ndiaye and pre-season standout Ifeanyi Ndukwe were also added to the club’s ranks in January.
Their youth recruitment continued last summer, when the Reds secured several promising talents, including Colombian youngsters Samuel Martinez, Lucca Brughmans, Djylian N’Guessan and Michael Mulholland.
Otorbi, who has completed a sky-high 63.6% successful dribbles this season, would be another exciting addition to Liverpool’s increasing talent pool, but whether they meet Valencia’s £50m valuation remains to be seen
