Liverpool hero Divock Origi turned down the chance to join Premier League rivals Newcastle United because he has already given his word to Serie A leaders AC Milan, as reported by Calciomercato.
There’s something rather mysterious about Divock Origi.
This is a man who’s won almost everything that’s worth winning since joining Liverpool nearly a decade ago, scoring decisive goals against Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League while almost redefining what it means to be a ‘cult hero’.
But just how good is the Belgium international? Yes, we know he’s a scorer of great goals. But is he a great goal-scorer? Can Origi score 20-a-season at AC Milan, swapping his role as something of a scene-stealing extra at Anfield for that of a leading man at the San Siro?
With Origi agreeing to join the current Serie A leaders on a free-transfer in the summer transfer window, we may be in a position to answer that particular poser 12 months from now.
Origi has already reached an agreement with AC Milan over a four-year deal worth £3.5 million-a-year – or £65,000-a-week, if you prefer – after holding extensive talks with Rossoneri legend-turned-director Paolo Maldini.
Calciomercato claim that Newcastle tried and failed to hi-jack his impending move to the Guiseppe Meazza.
Origi is a man of his word. And he was not going to renege on his agreement with Milan in order to put pen to paper at St James’ Park instead.
Liverpool’s Divock Origi on his way to AC Milan
“He’s a legend on and off the pitch,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp beamed after Origi did what Origi does in last month’s Merseyside derby victory over Everton, stepping off the bench to score the winner just when the Reds needed him the most.
“He’s a fantastic footballer for me. And I know it sounds ridiculous because I don’t (select him) often, he’s our best finisher. Really. He always was and everybody would say the same.
“You see him doing these kind of things in training. And, if he’s not in the squad, it’s because of the quality of other players. Everybody loves Div and rightly so.”
Whether Stefano Pioli is speaking in such glowing terms of Origi at Milan, only time will tell.
The seven-time European champions appear to have snatched two players from under Eddie Howe’s nose already this summer, agreeing to sign Sven Botman as well as Origi.
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