AC Milan are reportedly on the lookout for new strikers, just a few months after signing former Liverpool man Divock Origi.
Origi joined Milan on a free transfer in July after his Liverpool contract expired. The Belgium international penned a four-year contract with the Italian giants after scoring 41 goals in 175 appearances for the Reds over an eight-year spell.
The 27-year-old was well-liked at Anfield after developing a reputation for showing up in the big occasions to net hugely-important goals. As well as scoring six goals in 12 games against rivals Everton, he scored twice in Liverpool's famous 4-0 Champions League semi-final triumph over Barcelona in 2019 and then added the second against Tottenham in the subsequent final.
But his move to Milan has not got off to a good start. Origi has not started any of the games he has been involved in, playing just 81 minutes across four appearances off the bench, with injuries hampering his impact so far.
His form and lack of availability has prompted Milan to take action. According to Calciomercato, the Serie A champions are targeting Lille’s Jonathan David and Red Bull Salzburg’s Noah Okafor as potential replacements for Origi in the January transfer window.
David was strongly linked with a move to the Premier League over the summer, with Arsenal amongst his admirers. The 22-year-old has started the season strongly, contributing four goals and two assists in seven Ligue 1 matches for Lille so far and will lead Canada’s attack at the World Cup in November.
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Okafor, meanwhile, has six goals and two assists in all competitions for Salzburg. The 22-year-old Switzerland international has previously been linked with Leeds United and is reportedly valued at £25million.
Origi was recently branded as the “worst signing of the season” in Serie A following his sluggish start to the campaign. Milan boss Stefano Pioli has preferred to start former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud alongside summer signing Charles De Ketelaere this season. Milan are third in Serie A having won four and drawn two of their six matches so far.
Origi was left out of Milan’s squad for their 2-1 win over Sampdoria on the weekend due to ongoing injury problems. “It’s disappointing, because he’s a good player, but he didn’t feel right at the end of the training session,” Pioli said. “The muscle was hardening up, so it was best not to risk it.”
Milan play Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Origi once again absent from the squad. Giroud is set to continue in attack because Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ante Rebic are also on the treatment table, alongside Origi.
"Olivier can play every game, and I have many other players who can also play in that position," Pioli said on Tuesday. "I'm not worried about Origi's injury, but sorry. He is a player we strongly wanted and I'm now hoping to have him back after the [international] break."
