AC Milan have reportedly offered Liverpool striker Divock Origi a contract - just weeks after he was labelled "world class" by Jurgen Klopp.
The Belgium international, 27, is expected to leave the club when his deal expires this summer. It's believed he's told Liverpool's hierarchy of his desire to pursue pastures new and the Reds are aware of the negotiations between his representatives and Milan.
Origi has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield following the emergence of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz. He is Klopp's sixth-choice forward behind Jota, Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, making just Premier League appearances this season - all of which have come as a substitute - and scoring a respectable three goals in that time.
According to transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, Milan have offered Origi an annual salary of €4million (£3.4m). He reportedly wanted a yearly wage of €4.5m (£3.8m) but is now willing to accept the lower offer to join the seven-time European champions.
That would see Origi receive a pay rise. Milan's alleged offer would see him earn £65,500 per week, which is higher than the £60,000 per week he receives at Liverpool, according to Spotrac. His last contract was signed in July 2019.
Origi is looking to reignite his career after an intriguing spell at Anfield. Since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2014, he's scored just 41 goals in 174 appearances for the club in all competitions, spending time on loan at Lille and Wolfsburg.
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Despite this, Origi is regarded as a cult hero on Merseyside. He's won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. He's also scored some vital goals, including Liverpool's second in the 2-0 Champions League final win over Tottenham three years ago.
Origi's most recent goal came against Everton in the Merseyside derby, ensuring a 2-0 win for Liverpool. "We will never miss a player more like him because if he leaves, he will explode wherever he goes," Klopp told reporters while discussing the striker's display against the Toffees.
"He is a world-class striker, he is a legend and will stay a legend forever. He doesn't always make the squad which is ridiculous, but he is there when we need him every time."
Speaking in December, Klopp said: "[Origi] is an incredible striker and for different reasons he did not play that often, but I hope one day he finds a manager that plays him more than I do.
"He’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen in my life. In this great team, with our [front] three, he doesn’t play all the time but he is a very positive boy, loves the club, wants to contribute and he did in an incredible way."
Although he appears destined for the Anfield exit door, Ian Wright has urged Origi to sign a new deal at Liverpool. "He should stay," the Arsenal legend told the Wrighty's House podcast. "I know people say he should go and play somewhere else. But why would you want to leave this Liverpool side when you have a role where you’re not even playing for a certain amount of minutes, but the fans are happy to see you?
"And he always delivers. You have to be a special player to do this. I can’t remember too many who have played that role for so long who don’t seem to be unhappy doing it... in important games, they call for him and he answers the call every time."
