West Ham dealt transfer boost as AC Milan striker Divock Origi wants to leave Serie A giants
West Ham United have been handed a transfer boost as AC Milan striker Divock Origi now wants to leave the Serie A side this summer.
Sacha Tavolieri tweeted (23 August) that amid interest from top-flight English, Italian, French and Scottish sides, the 28-year-old has decided his Milan journey is over.
He also claimed that Milan would consider either a loan or a permanent sale for the Belgian, meaning if West Ham were keen to secure his services, they now have the ideal opportunity.
Gazzetta dello Sport has previously claimed (3 August) that the Hammers were favourites to sign the Champions League winner, who recently rejected a move to Saudi Arabia in favour of a return to the Premier League, according to Tutto Mercato Web (18 August).
If West Ham want Origi, they have the financial power to execute the deal and offer him a good destination to return to England and remain in European competition.
However, West Ham should not be under any false pretences about Origi. His time in Milan has not been particularly successful or prolific. With just two goals in 36 total appearances for the Rossoneri, he failed to truly set alight in Serie A.
That being said, he has never been seen as a particularly prolific scorer, but rather a scorer of great goals. His Champions League exploits with Liverpool are often the first thing to come to mind, but Origi’s best-ever return in a season was just 11 goals for the Reds in 2016/17.
His extensive experience in European competition may be appealing to West Ham in their efforts to replicate their Conference League heroics in the Europa League, but in terms of regular goals, Origi may not be the answer.
Amid uncertainly regarding their attack, perhaps the Hammers should consider other options. But David Moyes may relish the chance to rejuvenate Origi’s career.
In other West Ham news, Sky Sports have shared an update on the Hammers’ efforts to sign Mohammed Kudus.