Liverpool and Premier League frontman Divock Origi will be a ‘great signing’ for newly-crowned Serie A champions AC Milan, former Rossoneri goalkeeper Mario Ielpo tells Milan News of a man who turned down Newcastle United.
Since returning to Anfield on the back of an ill-fated loan spell at Wolfsburg in 2017/18, the Belgium international has started a grand total of 15 top-flight games under Jurgen Klopp. Just two of those came last season.
Origi’s impending move to the San Siro, then, feels like not only a fresh start but an opportunity for one of football’s most iconic supersubs to prove that he is more than a willing back-up.
After turning down both Villarreal and Newcastle United, Origi has agreed a long-term deal worth £65,000-a-week at Milan. Much to the delight of a man who accumulated six trophies in just three seasons in red-and-black.
“Origi is a modern and mobile striker, unlike (Olivier) Giroud who is a bit more finisher,” says Ielpo, a Champions League winner under Fabio Capello in 1993/94.
“He seems like a great signing to me. He’s the kind of strong player who has had some problems in a great team. Arriving at Milan, it is hoped that he will be able to express himself better, at a higher level than what he did before.”
Divock Origi turns down Newcastle United for AC Milan
Origi contributed six goals in just five starts in all competitions during his final season for Liverpool. It will be intriguing to see whether the 27-year-old can go from Anfield extra to a scene-chewing leading man in Milan.
“We are talking to Origi and it seems to be going well,” Rossoneri director Paolo Maldini confirmed in May.
“With two or three important signings and the consolidation of the players we have, we can compete for something bigger in the Champions League.”
Liverpool also look set to lose Sadio Mane this summer, with Arnaut Danjuma of Villarreal a potential replacement.
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