AC Milan have reportedly reached an agreement with Liverpool frontman Divock Origi over a free transfer to San Siro in the summer.
According to Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by Milan News.it, AC Milan have moved one step closer towards securing the services of Divock Origi. The Liverpool forward has become one of the top targets for the Serie A giants next season, with coach Stefano Pioli keen on reinforcing his options in the attacking department.
There were reports of a few breakdowns in negotiations earlier this week, especially in relation to Origi’s wage demands. However, it appears the two parties have sorted out the problem, with the Belgian frontman likely to pen a four-year deal worth €4 million per season after leaving Liverpool.
Origi’s potential arrival at San Siro next season could serve as a massive boost for AC Milan. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the fag end of his playing days and Olivier Giroud approaching the final phase of his career, the Rossoneri are in desperate need of a new attacker who can build a formidable offensive partnership with other talented attackers.
The Belgian is an interesting choice, as he is far from a first-team regular at Liverpool and has largely played second fiddle to the likes of Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota. However, he has made quite an impression with his knack for scoring goals in crunch games.
Perhaps more importantly, Origi is excellent when it comes to offering the technical presence in the final third, and he could combine well with the likes of Alexis Saelemaekers and Rafael Leao next season. At the age of 26, he also has time on his side and the room to grow into a top-class centre-forward in Serie A.
There is a slight hint of doubt surrounding the future of Leao, who is curiously a target for Liverpool. But it won’t be surprising to see the Portuguese international remaining at San Siro, knowing Milan could be an ideal platform to further transform himself into one of Europe’s finest attackers.
Liverpool, for their part, have begun their preparations for life without Origi next season. They have been linked with a summer swoop for Ajax frontman Sebastien Haller, though the Ivorian could cost up to €50 million. Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho, to that end, could be an excellent cost-effective alternative, although the Reds are set to face stiff competition from Milan, among other European giants.