The renewal keeps Otorbi at the Mestalla until 2031 and lifts his buy-out from €30m to €60m, according to Valencia-based outlet Plaza Deportiva, which first reported the move on Friday. The club also sidestepped an automatic clause tied to a 10-appearance threshold that Otorbi was close to activating on his own.
Liverpool’s intensifying contacts in the days before the extension are reported to have accelerated the decision. The Reds were reported to have been in contact with Otorbi’s representatives and were the club pushing hardest to explore the move, but no formal deposit of the €30m fee was ever made.
Not just Liverpool watching
Newcastle had also been tracking Otorbi closely, with scouts sent to recent games, and his agent is said to have fielded interest from several Premier League clubs through the autumn. Valencia moved partly to shut off that broader market before the January window could unsettle him.
Otorbi debuted for Valencia in January 2024 at 16 years, two months and 19 days, making him the club’s youngest ever first-team player. He has featured in eight of Valencia’s first nine La Liga matches this season under Javier Aguirre, who took over from Carlos Corberán last month after the former manager was dismissed following a run of defeats.
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Stretchered off at Villarreal
A day after Plaza Deportiva ran the extension story, Otorbi was carried off on a stretcher in the 14th minute of Valencia’s away trip to Villarreal, grabbing the back of his right thigh after a sprint. Dani Raba came on in his place.
It was only his third La Liga start of the season, and his first under Aguirre.
Early reporting points to a significant hamstring tear that could sideline him for an extended spell, pending scan results.
Aguirre offered a cautious update after the match, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
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“We hope it’s nothing serious. The doctor is reassuring, but we won’t be able to assess the extent of the injury until we see the images.”
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