Newcastle showing ‘interest’ in forgotten Liverpool man tipped for exit
Newcastle United will reportedly make a move for Liverpool outcast Divock Origi if they manage to remain in the Premier League.
It was reported earlier in the week that the Reds will allow the 25-year-old to leave this summer. It seems as though he is surplus to requirements at Anfield, having played just 181 minutes of league football this term.
German outfit Borussia Dortmund are said to be keen, while Inter Milan were thought to have tested the water in January. No deal materialised for the San Siro giants and the Belgium international remained on Merseyside.
Now it appears as though the Magpies would be willing to take a gamble on the forward. That is according to Spanish outlet El Gol Digital, who suggest that Real Sociedad are also suitors.
Premier League duo Wolves and Aston Villa have also been mentioned in connection with the player. But the Tynesiders are one of the sides to have ‘shown the most interest’ in a man whose star has waned in recent years.
Origi arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2014. However he was loaned back to Lille for the 2014-2015 campaign.
His Reds career has been truncated to say the least. The Ostend-born star’s best season in a Liverpool shirt came in 2016-17 when he appeared 34 times in the Premier League.
He scored seven top-flight goals and 11 in all competitions but the following season was loaned to Wolfsburg. He saw plenty of action on Germany but has mainly been on the bench for Jurgen Klopp’s side since returning.
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The man capped 29 times by Belgium has started only 13 league games over the past three years.
Cut-price Origi deal in the offing
It has been said that the forward will cost just £12m for any interested club. Newcastle are currently embroiled in a relegation fight and a drop to the Championship would scupper any potential deal.
Steve Bruce’s side are just two points better off than 18th-placed Fulham, with the Cottagers holding all the momentum. The north-east outfit have been linked with Origi in the past.
He has shown his class on the few occasions Klopp has given him an opportunity. His brace in the 2018-2019 Champions League semi-final comeback victory over Barcelona will live long in the memory.
He also scored the second goal as the Reds beat Tottenham 2-0 in the final that year. Bruce needs new talent up front but does not have the budget to recruit the top players.
Origi might be a decent compromise if they can get a deal done.
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