AC Milan striker Divock Origi could reportedly be on his way back to the Premier League this summer just one year after leaving Liverpool.
With the Rossoneri travelling to Napoli for the first leg of their Champions League quarter final a few days later, Stefano Pioli obviously felt the need to rotate last weekend. Friday’s 0-0 draw at home to Empoli, however, only served to highlight the colossal drop-off in quality between Milan’s first XI and their second string.
A front three of Alexis Saelemaekers, Ante Rebic and Origi barely threatened the Empoli backline; the latter failing to improve on a rather miserable tally of two goals in 27 games since arriving at the San Siro from Liverpool during the summer of 2022.
“(Origi) arrived with a wealth of experience. But, to date, he has failed,” Calciomercato wrote a couple of months ago; the Belgium international labelled an even greater disappointment than the £30 million Charles de Ketelaere.
“His contribution is almost nil. The former Liverpool player was hired to be a starter. To date he is not even remotely close to being one. He is a flop.”
Is Liverpool ‘legend’ Divock Origi returning to the Premier League?
The good news, as far as Milan are concerned, is that the seven-time European champions could secure themselves a profit if they opt to cash in on Origi, just 12 months after signing the 27-year-old on a free transfer.
Calciomercato believe that a summer departure, after one season in Italy, ‘cannot be ruled out’. Origi reportedly has a throng of Premier League suitors.
The report does not name the interested parties. But West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Leeds and long-term admirers Wolves, amongst others, are likely to be in the market for a new number nine.
Never the most prolific goalscorer, it was Origi’s penchant for popping up at precisely the right time – see that Everton winner, that Barcelona goal, the 2019 Champions League final – which had Jurgen Klopp labelling him a modern-day Liverpool ‘legend’.
“He is, and will be for me, forever a Liverpool legend. One of the most important players I ever had,” Klopp says.
“An outstanding player. Outstanding boy. Everybody in the team loves him because he was just a relaxed guy and a really lovable guy.
“So, yeah, it will be a harsh moment when he actually leaves. I remember so many things when I think about Div that’s incredible; important goals, injuries… bad injuries, and all these kinds of things. Ups and downs.
“He is a Liverpool legend, no doubt.”
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