Liverpool’s Belgian centre-forward Divock Origi is reportedly being targeted by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
As per a report from ESPN, German outfit Borussia Dortmund are in negotiations with Liverpool over the transfer of 23-year-old striker Divock Origi.
Dortmund are in the market for a new striker, having failed to re-sign Michy Batshuayi on loan from Chelsea. A move for Barcelona striker Paco Alcacer was mooted, but the German outfit have now decided to switch their attention to the Liverpool forward.
The Belgian international joined Liverpool for £10 million from Lille in the summer of 2014, but he was immediately loaned back to the French club for the following campaign before moving to Anfield in 2015.
Origi made 77 appearances over the next couple of years for the Merseysiders, scoring 21 goals and assisting 7 more in the process. He was then shipped out on loan to German club Wolfsburg for the 2017-18 campaign. The 23-year-old had a mediocre campaign, as he managed just seven strikes in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.
Having returned to Liverpool this summer, the 25-time capped Belgian international failed to make much of an impression during the Reds’ pre-season campaign either. The striker hasn’t featured in the matchday squads for Liverpool’s first two Premier League games of the new season.
Roberto Firmino is the obvious first-choice for the Merseysiders in the centre-forward position. With the fit-again Daniel Sturridge also in the reckoning, along with last summer signing Dominic Solanke, first-team opportunities are unlikely to come in abundance for Origi.
Liverpool are believed to be demanding a fee of £27 million for Origi, which Dortmund are unwilling to match. Lucien Favre’s side are more inclined towards taking the 23-year-old on a season-long loan. But, the Reds are insisting that Origi cannot leave on loan without an obligation for the German club to buy the striker next summer.
The Belgian centre-forward has two years left on his contract with last season’s UEFA Champions League finalists. And, the Reds do not want to be left in a difficult situation next summer when they could be forced to sell him much below their valuation, considering that he will have just twelve months left on his deal when he returns from loan.
Liverpool reached a similar arrangement with fellow Premier League outfit Southampton for another of their strikers, Danny Ings, this summer. Having initially demanded £24 million for the Englishman’s services, the Reds allowed him to join the Saints on loan ahead of a pre-agreed permanent move worth £18 million plus £2 million in add-ons next summer.
Despite the initial promise that Origi had shown at Anfield, his time with Liverpool seems to be nearing an end. Moving to Dortmund and playing under a manager as experienced as Favre will be a great chance for the 23-year-old to get his career back on track, while Liverpool will also be getting a good return for a player with amazing potential.
With just over a week left for the European transfer deadline, the two clubs will be hoping to reach an agreement at the earliest.
