Liverpool face £50m hurdle for Valencia winger in January

Liverpool are weighing whether to trigger Valencia winger David Otorbi’s release clause in January, a clause now reportedly set at £50 million after the Spanish club extended his contract. The Reds had originally planned to activate a £25 million clause, but Valencia’s recent amendment may halt the move.

The Reds intended to activate the clause in the January window, yet Valencia’s contract amendment may force Liverpool to reconsider. The uncertainty has prompted the club to evaluate alternative options for the wing.

Why Liverpool targeted Otorbi

Over the summer Liverpool set about overhauling their wing positions, earmarking three new signings. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz arrived, with Barcola becoming the club’s second‑most expensive signing ever at £123 million. The club’s pursuit of a third winger stalled after attempts to secure Yankuba Minteh or Ismaila Sarr fell through, prompting Liverpool to abandon a planned sale of Cody Gakpo to Manchester City.

The 19‑year‑old Otorbi primarily operates on the right wing and has featured in nine of Valencia’s ten LaLiga matches this term, albeit mostly from the bench. His limited minutes have nonetheless attracted interest from clubs seeking to refresh their flanks.

According to a report from Tribuna Deportiva, Valencia extended Otorbi’s contract by three years to 2031 and activated a clause‑doubling mechanism that raised his release fee to €60 million (£50 million). Sources differ on whether the extension has been finalised, but the potential increase has become a focal point of the negotiations.

Reporter Pete O’Rourke stated, ‘Liverpool will not make a move for Valencia winger David Otorbi in January if the Spanish side increase his valuation to the £50 million mark.’ He added that the heightened clause appears to put the Reds off a deal for now.

Reds reporter David Lynch later remarked, ‘I haven’t got a clue about this player whatsoever,’ and questioned Otorbi’s playing time at Valencia. He warned that Liverpool are unlikely to rush into a high‑priced signing in the middle of the campaign.

At present Liverpool remain well stocked on the flanks, with Barcola, Munoz, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa all available. The depth reduces any immediate pressure to secure another winger before the winter window.

Tribuna Deportiva suggests Liverpool will revisit the market in the upcoming winter window, but not for Sarr or Minteh, and the Otorbi deal remains uncertain pending Valencia’s final clause decision. For Valencia, retaining a promising youngster may prove lucrative if the £50 million price is upheld.