Divock Origi's eight-season spell at Liverpool looks to be drawing to a close after the Belgian striker 'agreed terms' on a deal to join AC Milan, according to reports.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and with no guarantee of regular first team football - nor seemingly a new offer on the table - the Italian club appear to have landed their man with suggestions a deal in principle has been sealed.
Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport says that Origi has agreed a four-year deal at the San Siro with a salary worth around £3.3milllion (4milllion euros). Their account claims at this stage the agreement is only a 'verbal' one, but is expecting to be finalised in the next few weeks.
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Despite never being able to hold down a regular first team place in Liverpool's ultra-competitive forward line, Origi's knack for scoring on the big occasion has seen his name etched into Anfield folklore.
Supporters will never forget his bizarre later-than-late winning goal against Everton but his legacy on Merseyside was secured with his two goals against Barcelona in the 4-0 Champions League semi-final second leg victory, before going on to score the crucial second goal in the final against Tottenham Hotspur, ensuring that the Reds lifted their sixth European Cup in 2019.
Earlier this month, manager Jurgen Klopp admitted that players such as Origi may have to move on at the end of the season. Asked about the prospect of fringe talents leaving, Klopp told Sky Sports: "It is unlikely with the size of the squad that we now stay exactly like this together.
"For sure, some of the players do not play often enough for their own understanding and we will see what will come in the summer and find solutions for those situations. But the core of the group has to stay together. There is no doubt about that."
It seems Klopp's prediction is now set to come true. Origi's apparent verbal agreement with Milan will be welcome news for I Rossoneri, who had identified him as one of their main summer targets.
Milan a currently top of Serie A and not only currently on course to become Italian champions, but ensure that Origi can continue to enjoy Champions League football next season.
Origi was signed by Brendan Rodgers for Liverpool in 2014 from Lille, before being loaned back to the French club for a season. He has made 298 appearances for the Reds, scoring 64 goals.
Back in December, after Origi scored a stunning winner away to Wolves, Klopp admitted: "He’s an incredible striker, for different reasons [Origi] 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 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.”
