Now that the signing of Benfica winger Lazar Markovic is all wrapped up, Liverpool are turning their attentions to finalizing a long overdue deal for Lille striker Divock Origi after the 19-year old impressed at the World Cup this summer.
Earlier reports had a deal for the Belgian hit-man already done and dusted with the player spotted at Melwood taking a tour ahead of a rumoured medical late last week. Apparently both Origi and Markovic were set to be put through the paces by first time doctor Zaf Iqbal around the same time, but with the Serbian announced as Reds boss Brendan Rodgers fourth signing of the summer yesterday, his supposed partner in crime is nowhere to be seen.
What this means for Liverpool’s interest in the 19-year old remains to be seen, but Lille boss Rene Girrard echoed their shirt sponsors assertions that he’d be playing in France next season. “Divock Origi will be here this season,” he told the French media when questioned on the Belgian’s future in Ligue One. It wasn’t that long ago that Marc Coucke, president of Omega Pharma which owns their shirt sponsor Ettix said they were “99% sure” that he’d remain at Lille for the next season, though much like Girrard, he didn’t expand on who exactly would own the player.
Speculation has been rife that Liverpool will immediately loan the player back to the French side upon completion of the deal in order to continue his development. It’s believed that the Reds have had a £6mil offer — which could rise as high as £10mil based on a number of performance clauses — accepted for the promising striker, but the move has yet to be finalized with the player himself saying that he still hadn’t made a choice regarding the numerous offers he’s received.
