Exit confirmed as Liverpool Champions League hero takes pay cut for next destination

Liverpool striker Divock Origi has reportedly agreed a deal to join Italian giants AC Milan when he becomes a free agent in the summer.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his Reds contract and will leave Anfield when the dust settles on the 2021-2022 campaign. He has been linked with the Rossoneri for some time despite Italian pundit Federico Zancan urging the San Siro giants to steer clear. Reports earlier this month claimed the Serie A outfit were set to hand the Belgium international a four-year deal.

But Newcastle United then appeared to enter the picture, looking to land the former Lille man for nothing. However, Sport Mediaset are reporting that talks have now concluded between the player’s representatives and Milan.

And it seems as though he will ink a three-year deal with the club. The report adds that he will be paid €3.5m per season – a reduction on his €4m salary with the Merseysiders.

The deal will also include the option of a fourth year should all parties agree. Origi will hope to join a side calling themselves Italian champions, with Milan currently at the top of the table.

Stefano Pioli’s men are two points clear of City rivals Inter, but the Nerazzurri do have a game in hand.

Origi gains cult status at Liverpool

There was a great deal of noise surrounding Origi when he first signed for Liverpool. The Ostend-born ace was just 19 when he put pen to paper with the north-west giants in July 2014.

He was loaned back to Lille for the following season before embarking on his Reds career in 2015-2016. The talented forward found game time hard ot come by initially but did make 34 top-flight appearances in 2016-2017.

However, he then slipped down the pecking order and spent 2017-18 on loan with Wolfsburg. Back under Jurgen Klopp, Origi has never been a first-team regular but will always be remembered for his exploits as Liverpool won the 2019 Champions League.

He scored twice as the Premier League outfit overcame a three-goal first-leg deficit to oust Barcelona in the semi-finals. And the Belgian then netted as Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in the final.

It would be safe to say that Origi failed to live up to expectations. But he was on hand to contribute to a few landmark moments in the club’s history.

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