‘Fantastic’ West Ham target thwarting transfer with £74k-a-week request

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AC Milan flop Divock Origi is now thwarting a potential return to the Premier League before the transfer deadline hits, amid interest from West Ham and Sheffield United.

That is according to Calciomercato, which reports that Origi is struggling to secure a transfer away from AC Milan. The 28-year-old has just received a poll from Sheffield United to move back to England. But his wage at San Siro is blocking any routes away from the Serie A team.

Origi earns €4.5m-a-year (£74k-a/w) with the Rossoneri after joining as a free agent only last July. The attacker headed for Italy on the back of leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. But Stefano Pioli had a lack of faith in Origi last term and will not revert his stance this term.

Origi has no future at AC Milan a year after his free transfer

Pioli has firmly left Origi out of the AC Milan project and also made the forward aware of his plight months ago. But the 32-cap Belgium international rejected all offers to move to Saudi Arabia during June and July. Now, Sheffield United are the team displaying the most intrigue.

The Blades have just moved to submit a poll as Paul Heckingbottom bids to add goals to his newly-promoted team. A switch to Bramall Lane would offer Origi the return to the Premier League he now craves. But the South Yorkshire side are reluctant to swoop given his salary.

According to TuttoMercatoWEB, West Ham have also restarted contact with AC Milan about a last-gasp transfer for Origi. The Hammers have revisited his situation after selling Gianluca Scamacca. While Sempre Milan notes the Rossoneri are only asking for €14-15m (£12-13m).

Origi has rejected joining West Ham already this summer

West Ham also felt the full force of Origi’s desire to stay at AC Milan as he rejected offers of a transfer to Saudi Arabia. Gazzetta dello Sport reported in July that he turned down a move to London Stadium. The Irons did not interest in the attacker at all given his desire to stay then.

Origi now accepting that Pioli will not rely on him convinced West Ham, and now Sheffield United, to target his transfer from AC Milan. But the striker, who Virgil van Dijk once called ‘fantastic’, risks being frozen out until at least January. He must lower his requests to move.