Liverpool musn’t sell Divock Origi now.
Five clubs are reported to be interested in the Belgian, the most advanced of whom is Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
Apparently Liverpool are prepared to send Divock Origi out on loan, but they want an obligation to buy included in the deal and want at least £15 million for the player.
They should avoid letting him leave for now.
The Belgian is one of the few squad players who can cover Sadio Mane as well as Roberto Firmino, and there’s more value to be had by keeping hold of the Belgian while the football landscape is so uncertain.
While Origi hasn’t been able to secure regular minutes, or score regular goals, that price seems a little low for someone of his pedigree. Liverpool were looking at selling for more than that before COVID-19 struck, and could expect to see his value rise when clubs get back to a more sustained financial footing.
Lining up a replacement could be tricky, as well. One target has been Jeremy Doku, who broke through at Anderlecht last season.
He would cost more than Liverpool could raise from the Origi move, and there’s no assurances that the Belgian youngster would be able to hit the ground running.
Jurgen Klopp will have a similar issue with Curtis Jones, who may end up playing as a midfielder anyway. Xherdan Shaqiri doesn’t play on the left and is always injured, Takumi Minamino is much more of a central player – as is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Anyone Liverpool can sign for £15 million isn’t going to be as good as Origi. If the forward isn’t rocking the boat or actively looking for a move away, there’s no reason why he can’t be kept around the squad for the future.
It’ll provide cover across two positions and avoid the club falling short on the financial side of things.