Former Liverpool forward Divock Origi could be sold just a year after arriving at AC Milan.
Origi got a hero’s send-off this time last year, as he bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool. The tearful goodbye was testament to the esteem in which the Belgian is held at Anfield. After seven-and-a-half years and some huge moments, he was sure to be missed.
And missed he has been. How we could have done with one or two ‘Origi moments’ over the course of the season. Not only have his special goals been missing at Liverpool though, they’ve also scarcely been present at Milan.
Divock has scored just two goals in 35 appearances for the Italians. With Milan failing to back-up their Scudetto last season and Origi failing to do pretty much anything at all, journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that he could be back on the market this summer.
“Divock Origi has chances to leave Milan in the summer with English and Turkish clubs keen on signing him, but it’s not something advanced now,” he wrote today. “Been told Aston Villa are not working on this possibility as things stand, despite recent reports.”
Origi struggles in Milan
For anyone who’s been tracking Origi since he left Liverpool, this won’t be a surprise. Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, his move to Milan hasn’t worked out for anyone.
There were even reports that Divock was audibly booed by sections of his own club’s fans during a particularly poor showing last month. Once that starts happening, there isn’t often a way back.
Some will paint Origi as a victim of Milan’s success of the previous year. Stefano Pioli’s side haven’t been able to keep pace with Napoli in Serie A and are only in the top 4 due to Juventus’ points deduction.
As a result, the newcomers into a squad that was dominant last year are going to be viewed with suspicion. In that sense, fellow new boys like Charles De Ketelaere and Aster Vranckx have also struggled badly.
But it must also be said that Origi hardly set the world alight for Liverpool in his last two seasons before leaving. He had his moments, but it is also true that the Belgium international scored seven goals in two years. Cult status permitting, that isn’t really good enough.
On the back of three pretty lean years now, it would be a brave club to take a chance on Origi. He does have a great deal of talent and has often been named as an efficient and unerring finisher. But getting him to show that out on the pitch where it matters has proven difficult.
Of course, Origi isn’t the only player sold by Liverpool last summer to have found the going tough in new pastures. Sadio Mane’s struggles at Bayern Munich are well documented, while Takumi Minamino has one goal in 24 for Monaco.
Bobby, are you really sure you want to go?