La Liga side Villarreal have reportedly joined the race to sign Liverpool forward Divock Origi, who is out of contract at Anfield next month.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Milan News), Villarreal have made a late approach to sign Liverpool forward Divock Origi, who runs out of contract with the Merseyside club next month. The Belgian’s eight-year association with Liverpool is set to come to an end this summer.

Serie A champions AC Milan are believed to be in the pole position to sign the 27-year-old. Newcastle United were also interested in the striker but he reportedly chose the Rossoneri over a move to the St. James Park.

Origi has also agreed on personal terms with Milan, as per The Athletic, who also reported that a contract hasn’t been signed and the Belgian is yet to appear for a medical. It has seemingly allowed Villarreal to make a late enquiry.

However, as per the Gazzetta report, Origi has his heart set on a move to AC Milan, where he will likely partner Olivier Giroud up front, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been ruled out for eight months after undergoing knee surgery.

Origi spent eight seasons with Liverpool, winning the Champions League, the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup once each. He finished with 41 goals in 175 matches for the Reds, some of which proved to be crucial in the club’s return to the upper echelons of European football.

Klopp termed Origi a ‘Liverpool legend’ for his incredible service to the club while wishing him the best for his future endeavours. “I expect Div to get a special farewell. For me, he will always be a Liverpool legend and it has been a joy to work with him,” Klopp said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“He’s one of the most important players I ever had. Wherever he will go he will be successful, 100 per cent. It will be a hard moment when he leaves. He is a Liverpool legend, no doubt.”

After Sunday’s parade to celebrate a highly successful season for Liverpool, where the Reds won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, Origi opened up on his impending exit and his time at Anfield. “I will miss these boys a lot. I have been here eight years, but I feel my purpose is done,” he said (via This Is Anfield). “The club is in safe hands. There is so much still to come from this team.”

While Villarreal may have made a late attempt to try and lure Origi to Spain, the report claims that the Belgian international has his heart set on a transfer to San Siro and will be moving to Italy.

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