OPINION
Liverpool attacker Divock Origi must exit Anfield this summer but the club’s reported stance on his exit means they face a mammoth task trying to get rid of him.
The 23-year-old, whose current contract sees him earn £28,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), has been a disappointment in pre-season and blown his chance to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plan for the season.
Origi may have shown glimpses of his talent while on loan at Wolfsburg last season but he still doesn’t look close to making the grade at Anfield and this means he needs to leave.
The forward, who can also be easily deployed as a winger, doesn’t just have to depart due to being surplus to requirements but needs to find a new club for his own sake as he can’t afford to waste a season playing for the U-23s or hardly getting a kick of the ball while rooted on the Reds’ bench.
However while it’s clear that the best option for all parties this summer is for Origi to depart, it seems the Reds are intent on making it difficult when it comes to getting rid of him.
The Daily Mail previously reported that the Reds were set to demand £27million for the 23-year-old which is a price tag that is going to send any remotely interested parties running to the hills.
If a club is going to pay out £27million on a new attacker then they’re going to expect to welcome a player who has a better goal record then 21 goals in 77 appearances for their current side.
Aside from their staggering valuation of the player, the Reds also face a difficult task securing Origi’s exit as they won’t consider loaning him out.
Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that the Merseyside giants wouldn’t entertain loan offers for their player and were only willing to sanction a deal which would instantly see him permanently removed from their books.
This stubborn stance is surely going to see a lot of teams put off pursuing the 23-year-old as following his inconsistent form, some would rather try before they buy.
Therefore given his price tag and the Reds’ unwillingness to consider sanctioning a temporary exit it wouldn’t be a surprise if Origi finds himself stuck at Anfield in the upcoming season as getting rid of him now seems like a difficult task.
