Liverpool are said to have told Valencia they were ready to pay David Otorbi's €30m release clause, and Valencia reportedly answered by moving to extend his contract and lift the price to €60m. The story now sits between a simple clause trigger and a much harder sell for any suitor. Otorbi has 1 goal in 9 La Liga appearances this season.

Liverpool's clause move

Tribuna Deportiva, quoted by football365.com, reported that Liverpool informed Valencia and the player's entourage this week that they wanted to pay the clause. The same report said Valencia acted quickly from that moment, executing the extra three years on the contract and doubling the release clause.

That is the cleanest way to read the latest turn, even if the reporting still leaves room for the usual transfer caveats. Liverpool's interest was already part of a wider search for a right winger after Mohamed Salah's exit, but the immediate effect of the approach appears to have been to make any deal far more expensive.

Valencia's protection of Otorbi

Valencia's response also fits the way they have handled David Otorbi. He signed a new deal in April that runs until June 2028, with an automatic extension through 2031 if he makes ten first-team appearances of at least 45 minutes. The club are not dealing with a fringe name either. Otorbi has made 9 La Liga appearances, logged 408 minutes and has already scored his first senior goal after coming off the bench against Racing Santander.

The Premier League interest is real enough to keep this moving. Nacho Gallart, Otorbi's agent, told teamtalk.com that several clubs had called, especially from the Premier League. He also said Valencia was the right place for now, and that the plan was to keep learning rather than rush anything. Newcastle representatives were among those watching him during Valencia's 2-2 draw with Racing Santander, which only adds to the attention around a player who made his senior debut in January 2024 aged 16.

For Valencia, the sensible play is obvious. They have a young winger with a goal, growing minutes and outside interest, and they have already made the terms much less inviting for anyone hoping to test them with a clause bid. The next move will be measured not by noise around the transfer, but by whether Liverpool or another club are still willing to meet the new €60m figure.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →