Newcastle United are reportedly interested in a January loan swoop for Liverpool utility forward Divock Origi.
According to The Northern Echo, Newly-appointed Magpies boss Eddie Howe has urged the Newcastle United hierarchy to bring in ‘tried-and-tested’ Premier League quality players as the new owners ramp up their preparations for the upcoming January transfer window.
Having been struck down to rock-bottom in the Premier League table following their entertaining 3-3 draw against Brentford last weekend, the need for reinforcements has become ever so apparent. But while Newcastle have been flooded with links with high-profile overseas signings, Eddie Howe has a clear preference for proven Premier League talents who will take relatively less adjusting time and can have an immediate impact on the Magpies’ performances in the latter half of the season.
However, it has also been claimed that Newcastle’s Premier League rivals will look to snub their advances for their players in the winter market. To combat this situation, the new owners are taking a fairly pragmatic approach and are only targeting players who are nearing the end of their existing deal or struggling to get decent playing time at their current clubs.
The report has name-checked the likes of Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard and Burnley’s James Tarkowski, while a few audacious moves for Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and Liverpool’s Divock Origi have also been mentioned. Origi comes under the umbrella of a player currently ‘struggling to get a game’ and Newcastle may approach Liverpool with loan enquiries in January.
The 26-year-old has made just seven appearances so far this season, playing a total of 273 minutes of footballing action, majorly featuring in EFL Cup games, but also impressing by chipping in with three goals and two assists. Having joined Liverpool in 2014, the Belgian has failed to establish himself as a regular starter and has always been reduced to a squad rotation role.
However, he has attained cult hero status among the Reds’ fanbase, having scored key goals in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and their league title run. Interestingly, Newcastle have regularly been linked with the Belgian striker in previous transfer windows but a move never materialized due to finances involved.
Signing him this time around would be termed a smart business if he helps Newcastle get out of relegation mire. One can see Origi as a potential upgrade on Dwight Gayle or Joelinton. He would undoubtedly add quality competition for star striker Callum Wilson, while his versatile nature means he can feature anywhere in the front-three or feature alongside Wilson if the Magpies want to shift to a 4-4-2 shape.
But there should be an air of caution if Newcastle want to sign Origi permanently, as his career has always flattered to deceive apart from some huge limelight moments. He has never hit double figures in the league. Moreover, it is hard to see him leave Liverpool in January as Jurgen Klopp’s side will face a shortage of forwards with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah on international duty, which can be a certain blow to their title hopes.
Apart from Newcastle, West Ham are also plotting a move for the Belgian international. Only time will tell whether the 26-year-old finally ends up leaving Liverpool or continues to play a bit-part role at Anfield.
