Liverpool striker Divock Origi is reportedly a top target for mega-rich Newcastle United.
The 26-year-old has long since been tipped to make an exit from Anfield but has remained a Red throughout growing speculation.
Now it would appear that a Premier League rival could be shaping up to make the move Jurgen Klopp was surprised hadn’t come during the summer.
According to a report from The Telegraph, as cited by Telegraph Football on Twitter, the Belgian is on the radar in the North East.
Exclusive: Liverpool’s Divock Origi among the players Newcastle are looking at with replacing injured Callum Wilson key | @LukeEdwardsTele https://t.co/LfwJbc1EDB
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) January 6, 2022
The report claims that that the Toon have ‘stepped up’ their pursuit of the 31-cap ace who ‘wants to move on’ from Anfield.
This season Origi – often the saviour for the Reds – has scored five times and provided two assists in 10 appearances across all competitions.
READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT
Valued at £10.8million (Transfermarkt) and facing an uncertain long-term future on Merseyside, cashing in on the frontman, even for the mooted £7million, would make plenty of sense from a financial perspective.
With the newly-rich Newcastle embroiled in a relegation dogfight and with cash waiting, Liverpool would surely be confient of receiving a healthy fee regardless of contractual stiaiton.
However, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both away on international duty until February, Origi will suddenly become a key member of Klopp’s attacking ranks and therefore cannot be sold without a suitable replacement.
Whilst most would agree an amicable departure is the logical next step, it simply cannot happen at this juncture.
