AC Milan now regret signing Divock Origi following the forward’s release by Liverpool over Randal Kolo Muani. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker shone for France during the World Cup.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports the Rossoneri ditched their interest in a deal for Kolo Muani once it became clear Origi was leaving Anfield. San Siro chiefs felt the Belgian represented the better deal owing to his experience of Champions League football.
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Kolo Muani emerged on the radars of Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Masara a year ago. The pair appreciated the chance to sign the 24-year-old for free as his contract at Nantes expired in June. Yet he instead agreed to join Eintracht Frankfurt in a Bosman deal.
AC Milan regret Origi’s transfer after his release by Liverpool over Kolo Muani
Maldini and Masara gave serious thought to signing Kolo Muani but valued the experience Origi had in the Champions League. The Belgian left Liverpool having won the UEFA title at Anfield in 2018/19. While the Frenchman only made his Champions League bow this term.
Now, though, whatever doubts the AC Milan directors had of Kolo Muani are firmly in the past. Instead, the pair are questioning the growth of the forward who helped France reach the World Cup final. Didier Deschamps only gave the Bondy native his debut in September.
Kolo Muani made his first Bleus start in their Group D match with Tunisia before scoring in their semi-final win over Morocco. The attacker also won the penalty for Kylian Mbappe to get France back in the final and nearly scored but for a superb save by Emiliano Martinez.
Deschamps turned to Kolo Muani as a late replacement for RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku. The attacker sustained an injury in Les Bleus’ final training session ahead of Qatar 2022. Kolo Muani has eight goals and 11 assists across 23 outings with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Origi, on the other, did not go to the World Cup as Belgium crashed out in the group stage. He has only managed to score one goal and assist another over 14 games with AC Milan so far. Just four of his appearances across all competitions have come in their starting line-up.
Now Liverpool are targeting a deal to take Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt
AC Milan acknowledged Kolo Muani as a powerful and quick striker whilst with Nantes and regularly spoke with his agent. Yet they now rue scrapping a pursuit of France’s World Cup star to sign Origi – whom Jurgen Klopp called ‘fantastic’ – following his release by Liverpool.
Now, the two teams could battle for the Bundesliga player. Reports by La Repubblica note Maldini still admires Kolo Muani but Eintracht Frankfurt value him at €35m (£31m). While Foot Mercato credits Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur with an interest in his talents, too.
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